What is Climate-Smart?

Agave at Mission Garden

 
 

Local Produce With A Purpose

A Smarter Harvest Is Taking Root in AZ

Arizona’s agricultural community is learning to do more with less. With a 20% reduction in Colorado River water availability, the state’s farmers are implementing smart growing and irrigation practices that could serve as a climate-responsive playbook for changing environments worldwide.


Join the Movement Today, For Tomorrow

Help shape Arizona’s agriculture industry by choosing sustainable, water-smart produce. Your support aids local farmers as they grow low-water, desert-adapted crops and contribute to a healthier environment. Here’s how you make a difference:

  • Foster Arizona’s evolving agriculture industry

  • Support farmers who use smart practices to grow low-water, desert-adapted crops

  • Choose fresh, locally-grown, nutrient-dense produce

  • Minimize the heat-island effect by prioritizing agricultural land

  • Advance global standards for climate-smart farming


Armenian cucumber flowers at Machokoto Farm


Good For The Environment. Good For You.


The Desert Can Be Delicious

Desert-adapted crops are anything but dry. They’re robust in flavor and nutrition — and offer a smaller carbon footprint by needing less water. Explore Arizona’s hardy, climate-smart crops:

  • Prickly Pear: High in fiber and Vitamin C, low in sodium and saturated fat.

  • Cowpea: Rich in protein, fiber, and potassium, and drought-tolerant. More bean than pea, cowpeas include black-eyed peas, yardlong beans and more.

  • Agave: A sweetener rich in Vitamin B and antioxidants.

  • Tepary Beans: High-fiber and low glycemic index, teparies pack an impressive 21 g of protein in 1/2 cup.


Climate-Smart Programs We’re Participating In

Arizona Climate-Smart Practices Program

  • Incentivizes conservation practices: cover crops, crop rotation, mulching, low/no tillage, grazing, and nutrient management

  • 5-year grant cycle with $16,000/year incentives for up to 3 years

  • Resources include biocontrols, biostimulants, and biofertilizers

  • Open to early adopters and new practitioners alike

  • Led by Arizona Association of Conservation Districts with partners including ASU, NAU, Soil Health Institute, Local First Arizona, and more

    Read more here…

    Arizona Alliance for Climate-Smart Crops

  • Incentivizes climate-smart crops like agave, prickly pear, tepary beans, and promotes conservation practices

  • 3-year grant cycle with $11,000/year incentives for up to 3 years

  • Helps farmers trial practices like alley cropping, conservation cover, and reduced/no-till

  • Partners include the University of Arizona, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Local First Arizona, and others

Read more here…

Be Part of a Climate-Smart Future

By choosing local, desert-adapted produce, you help create a thriving, sustainable food system in Arizona. Explore our programs, and support a movement rooted in resilient, low-water agriculture.

 

Agave at Mission Garden