NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — In Arizona, where water scarcity shapes every planting decision, farmers are redefining what sustainability looks like in one of the driest regions on earth. An Arizona Farm Bureau commentary by Julie Murphree argues that growing food in the desert is not wasteful — it’s a strategic investment in food security, technology, and resilience.
Murphree notes that while agriculture once used up to 90 percent of Arizona’s water, today that figure has dropped to roughly 72 percent, driven by efficiency gains and widespread adoption of precision irrigation.
Many producers have cut water use by 20 to 50 percent through upgraded systems, lined ditches, surge irrigation, soil moisture sensors, and real-time data that enable water to be applied with pinpoint accuracy. Livestock and dairy operations increasingly reuse water for crops such as alfalfa, while conservation tillage helps trap moisture in the soil.
Arizona agriculture contributes about $31 billion annually to the economy, growing everything from leafy greens to forage for dairy and beef operations. Murphree argues that restricting or eliminating farming in arid states would weaken domestic food security at a time when global instability and supply-chain risks make local production critical.
“Agriculture isn’t the problem,” she writes. “It’s part of the solution.”
Farm-Level Takeaway: Arizona producers are proving that desert farming and water conservation can coexist through technology, reuse, and efficiency — reinforcing both food security and environmental stewardship.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
“A lot of natural instincts involved in this format.”
September 12, 2025 10:25 AM
·
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) joined us on Champions of Rural America to share his insights on upcoming changes to public land management and how they will benefit agriculture and the Western working class.
September 11, 2025 01:21 PM
·
The Cotton Jassid previously detected in Georgia has now made its way to the Lone Star State.
September 10, 2025 03:17 PM
·
The Interior Department is proposing to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule. This move would make huge strides to empower local decision-making and restore balance between conservation and protecting rural livelihoods tied to these public lands.
September 10, 2025 02:45 PM
·
Mother-daughter RanchHER duo, Lyn and Sherrie Ray, joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report for a sneak peek at tonight’s brand new episode of FarmHER + RanchHER.
September 10, 2025 01:45 PM
·
The 2022 Census of Agriculture revealed a more than 30% decrease in U.S. dairy farms since 2017. The shrinking industry is now uniting to advocate for itself while also adopting technology to reduce operational strain.
September 10, 2025 12:55 PM
·
