Posts By: Robert Medler
Arizona’s Winter Gold: A Century of Lettuce and Specialty Crop Success
When people think of Arizona, they often picture a vast desert landscape—but over the past century, the state has quietly become one of America’s top producers of specialty crops, especially winter vegetables. Central to this story is lettuce, a crop that turned Arizona into a major agricultural power and transformed rural economies across the state. The roots of Arizona’s specialty…
Ag in Arizona and the Future of Transportation
The future of transportation in relation to agriculture in Arizona is poised for transformation as technological advancements, environmental concerns and the need for greater efficiency intersect. Arizona, a state heavily reliant on agriculture—particularly for commodities like cotton, lettuce, citrus and other specialty crops—faces unique challenges and opportunities in aligning its…
Public Hearing Scheduled on Proposed AMA in the Willcox Groundwater Basin
The Arizona Department of Water Resources will hold a public hearing and take public comment on Nov. 22 on the proposed active management area for the Willcox Groundwater Basin. The hearing will take place at 1 p.m. at the Willcox Community Center at 312 W. Stewart St. Willcox, Arizona 85643. The Willcox Groundwater Basin is located in the northern Sulfur Springs Valley and is the…
The 2024 Arizona Legislative Session
As we approach the midway point of the 2024 Arizona Legislative session, numerous key policy debates are occurring. The session started with a renewed focus on addressing issues that impact the state and its residents. From education and healthcare to economic development and environmental concerns, Arizona's legislators have had a challenging session. Water: As was expected, Legislators are…
Saving Arizona Water by Investing in Arizona Farmers: Arizona’s On-Farm Water Irrigation Efficiency Project
Flood Irrigation in the Desert Southwest The first dam on the Colorado River was Laguna Dam built in 1905, seven years before Arizona became a state, followed by 14 more dams in 61 years to completely control the flow. Similar water management projects were made on all rivers across the state, providing access to local communities. Complex canal systems were built over time, with a major…
Arizona Governor Signs Historic Bill That Makes an Unprecedented $1 Billion Investment to Secure Arizona’s Water Future
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed B1740 yesterday, investing $1.2 billion over three years to fund projects that will bring additional water to the state to secure Arizona’s water future, improve existing water infrastructure and implement effective conservation tools. The projects will help ensure that Arizona families, businesses and agriculture continue to have adequate long-term…
YCEDA Will Host Free 2022 Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus Workshop on Aug. 17
Registration is now open for YCEDA’s free 2022 Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus Workshop on Aug. 17 to help area growers prepare for the upcoming Yuma produce season. The workshop will take place at the Yuma Agricultural Center, 6425 W. 8th St. Lunch will be offered at 11:30 a.m, with the workshop itself lasting from noon ...
Lower Colorado River Basin Partners Announce New $200 Million Conservation Effort
Earlier this week, water agencies from Arizona, California and Nevada, along with the Department of the Interior, announced a new effort to invest up to $200 million in projects over the next two years to keep Lake Mead from dropping to critically low levels. The agreement, signed during the Colorado River Water Users Association’s annual ...
Arizona Governor Delivers Final State of the State; Seeks $1B Investment in Water
On Jan.10, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey delivered his final State of the State to a joint session of the Arizona Legislature. While recapping successes of the administration over the past seven years, Ducey set an ambitious legislative agenda for the 2022 session. Most ambitious is a historic $1 billion investment in water resources over the next three years. ...
YCEDA 2021 Annual Report Now Available
The annual report for the Yuma Center of Excellent for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA) is now available the read and download here. The report highlights YCEDA’s impact on issues including water and nutrient management, food safety, broadband connectivity, workforce protection through COVID monitoring and plant disease. For more information on YCEDA and their projects, please visit ...
WG Board of Directors Elevate Ag Issues with Arizona Legislators
This week, the Western Growers (WG) Board of Directors spent two days at the Arizona Capitol advocating for the fresh produce industry. The group met with Governor Doug Ducey; President of the Senate Karen Fann; Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers; Senators Rebecca Rios, TJ Shope, Rick Gray, Sine Kerr, David Gowan; and Representatives Joel ...
Colorado River Shortage Briefing to be Held May 6 in Phoenix
The Arizona Department of Water Resources and Central Arizona Project are hosting a joint Colorado River shortage briefing on May 6. The event will take place from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in person at CAP Headquarters in the Lake Mead Conference Room at 23636 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85024. In addition, the briefing ...
USDA Makes Emergency Disaster Loans Available to Eight Arizona Counties
The United States Department of Agriculture has designated eight counties in Arizona as Primary Natural Disaster Areas, which allows the extension of emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters, such as the ongoing drought The eligible counties are: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave and Navajo. Contiguous counties also are eligible, including:…
Advocacy: Arizona Legislative Session Results in Wins for Ag Community
By Robert Medler, Arizona Government Affairs Manager As the 2021 legislative session nears sine die, Arizona agriculture will reap the benefits from a handful of wins. On top of the list is SB1448, which outlines how a court should award costs, expenses and punitive damages in a nuisance action against an agricultural operation conducted on ...
Arizona Advocacy: Why Arizona Policymakers Can Remain Nimble Amid a Dire Water Situation
By Robert Medler, Arizona Government Affairs Manager One Thousand Forty-Five. That is the elevation, in feet, of Lake Mead at the Hoover Dam (on the day I am writing this.) Lake Mead is 25 feet lower than it was on the same day in June 2021, and a staggering 44 feet lower than June 2020. ...
New Congressional and Legislative Maps Approved for Arizona
Yesterday, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission unanimously approved a final map for Arizona’s nine Congressional districts and approved a map for the 30 Legislative districts with a 3-2 vote. The maps will be in effect through the 2030 election cycle. The final map has four districts that are “safe” for Republicans and three that are “safe” ...
AZ Dept. of Agriculture Announces COVID Reimbursement Program
Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program recently announced the availability of funds for assistance with COVID-related expenses. Western Growers staff worked with the Department to streamline the application process and provide up to $2,500 in reimbursing for eligible expenses related to personal protective equipment, workplace safety and vaccination events. The…
Apply for AZ Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Applications for the 2022 Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program are now being accepted. To apply, visit https://agriculture.az.gov/grants. Applications, which are required to be submitted online, close on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. MST. The Arizona Department of Agriculture projects that approximately $1,100,000 will be available to be distributed in the…
Central Arizona Project to Offer Water Users Shortage Briefing
On Thursday, June 24 from 9am-11am, the Central Arizona Project will be holding a briefing on the likely upcoming water cuts to their system. Topics will include an updated Colorado River report, implementation of Tier 1 reductions and Drought Contingency Plan mitigation, report on Lake Mead conservation activities, and a review of the water ordering process. ...
Arizona Pays Off Debt and Cuts Taxes in FY22 Budget
The Arizona Legislature passed, and Governor Ducey signed, the Fiscal Year 2022 budget earlier this week. Under Arizona’s budget, nearly $1 billion in debt is paid off and another $1 billion is appropriated to help reduce the state’s pension liabilities. The Arizona Department of Agriculture received increased funding for Plant Services Division salary increases, State ...