Arizona Board of Regents approves $3M grant to strengthen Arizona agriculture amid water cutbacks

The Arizona Board of Regents has approved a $3 million Regents’ Grant to strengthen Arizona’s agriculture industry and advance sustainable farming practices.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture will work with the state’s three public universities to create a hub based in Yuma. The goal is to ensure long-term agriculture resilience and address challenges like groundwater depletion and resource scarcity.

Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley said the initiative will focus on developing solutions in three key areas: precision agriculture, soil health, and crop innovation.

"Those just haven’t been moving along fast enough," Brierley said.

Brierley said Yuma is the perfect place to headquarter the research because Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona all have existing programs in the city. About 90% of all the leafy vegetables grown in the U.S. from November through March are grown in and around the Yuma area, according to the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.

“Yuma’s agriculture community knows how to tackle tough challenges, but we can’t do it alone. By working with our universities, we can bring new technology, research and ideas to the people who need it most,” Sen. Tim Dunn (R-Yuma) said. “Grant funding like this can help create long-term solutions and prepare the next generation of leaders. I applaud the Arizona Board of Regents for supporting this effort and helping build a stronger, more sustainable future for agriculture in Yuma.”