Arizona’s agriculture has an interesting history. Agriculture in the state predates statehood by about 1,000 years. A tribe of HohoKam had a thriving farming community long before Arizona became a state in 1912. The tribe created an elaborate network of water canals that were used for irrigation, among other things, and it’s still used today.
- About 162,000 workers are employed in the agriculture industry in Arizona.
- There are about 18,475 indigenous farmers and ranchers operating in the states. They make up about 57% of the ag operations in the state.
- There are over 20,000 farming operations, with an average farm size of 1,312 acres.
- Cattle and calves are the leading agricultural product in the state, followed by dairy production.
- There is enough beef produced each year in the state to feed over 4.6 million Americans.
- 215 pairs of jeans can be made from 1 bale of Arizona gown cotton.
- The state is ranked 2nd nationally for head lettuce, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, and cantaloupe production.
- Yuma is the winter lettuce capital of the world. Most of the leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower come from Yuma in the winter.
- Arizona exports commodities to 70 countries and across the United States.
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Sources
Arizona Farm Bureau
Arizona Department of Agriculture
Farm Flavor
