Challenges Facing Crop Producers in Building Resilient Desert Agricultural Systems in the United States

Event Contact
Dr. LaKisha Odom
lodom@foundationfar.org

With careful irrigation, croplands in desert arid and semiarid climates have the potential to be highly productive regions for the United States’ food supply due to their year-round growing season and decreased pest threats.

However, current soil science has focused on the wetter climates and is not meeting the needs of desert crop producers. To meet its potential, the Desert Southwest requires a different definition of regenerative agriculture and unique solutions for managing soil health. There is an opportunity to advance soil management practices, strategies and metrics to increase the adaptability and profitability of crop producers in semiarid and arid regions.

This webinar communicated the unique research needs of desert agricultural systems and communities and provided testimonies from growers about their needs and the most significant knowledge gaps they face.

• Dr. Joey Blankinship, Associate Professor & Weiler Endowed Chair, Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona – Overview of the Desert Agriculture Soil Health Initiative (DASHI)
• Dr. LaKisha Odom, Scientific Program Director, FFAR – Overview of FFAR’s Priority Areas
• Dr. George Frisvold, Professor, Bartley P. Cardon Chair of Agribusiness Economics and Policy and Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, University of Arizona – Presentation on Impacts of Breaks in Supply Chains and Effects on Local and National Communities
• Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, Assistant Specialist, Indigenous Resilience Center, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona – Presentations on Tribal Challenges and Needs for Agricultural Soil Health in the Southwest
• Moderated panel of growers –Discussing experiences with food production in desert agricultural systems.
  • Kim Horton, Agronomy Manager, Taylor Farms
  • Matt McGuire. Chief Agricultural Officer,  JV Smith Companies
  • Jesus Tovar, President, T&P Farms
  • Dr. Stephanie Slinski, YCEDA, Associate Director, University of Arizona
• Audience Q&A