Year of the Crop (2025)
Arizona’s Crops
The "Year of the Crops" highlights Arizona's diverse agricultural bounty, from iconic crops like cotton and citrus to the local heritage of grains, fruits, and vegetables. Through our social media channels, blog, online museum, and community events, the celebration will recognize the dedication of farmers and ranchers who have cultivated the land for generations, fostering a sustainable future for Arizona agriculture.
The Arizona Farm and Ranch Museum and Hall of Fame invite farmers, local businesses, educators, and community members to participate in this celebration. Opportunities include sponsorships, exhibit contributions and locations, and social sharing via your social media networks. Additionally, you can purchase a collectible bandana for the annual theme on our website or at special events.
Citrus
Flowering trees and shrubs in the family of Rutaceae, including oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruit, pomelos, and limes. Native to Asia and cultivated in warm climates for fruit that has juicy, pulpy flesh with segmented leathery rind. Most fruits are ripe during the winter season.
18th century Spanish settlers introduced citrus to Arizona. Citrus was king and driving force behind the state’s economy, making up one of the 5 C’s (citrus, climate, cattle, cotton, and cooper), initially only in Maricopa and Yuma counties.
Mesa Citrus, the last packing house in central Arizona in the 1990s, packed 1.2 million cartons of citrus each season.
Timeline:
1889 William J. Murphy planted trees in Ingeleside, now Scottsdale
1920s Citrus became a leading cash crop
1935 Arizona produced 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit
1930s Co-op packing plan under Sunkist brand
1932 Mesa Citrus packing house
1995 Sunkist Citrus packed 1.4 million cartons
2010 Sunkist Citrus closed
Citrus Growers in Arizona:
Greenfield Citrus Nursery
Schumacher Grove
A Diller & Sons
David Turner
Fort McDowell Tribal Farm
Gammel Family
Tools of Citrus: Smudge Pot
Grown in Arizona:
Navel and Valencia oranges
Star Ruby, Rio Red, Pink, and Oro Blanco grapefruits
Eureka and Lisbon lemons
Lee, Dancy, Satsuma, and Clementine tangerines
Greens
Editable plants green in color and include leafy greens, kale, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and peas. Healthy source of carbohydrates and helps reduce risk and improve health conditions. Can be eaten raw or cooked. Most ripen during the winter months. Yuma, Arizona is the leafy green (salad bowl) capital of the United States.
Timeline:
Introduced during the Territorial period
1970s become a significant crop
Green Growers in Arizona: Maricopa, Pinal and Yuma Counties
Tools of Green Agriculture:
Grown in Arizona:
Iceberg
Romaine
Baby leaf spring mix
Green, red, butter leaf lettuce
Spinach
Cabbage
Kale
Arugula
Chard
Endive
Escarole
Radicchio
Cotton
Genus Gossyplum is a soft, fluffy staple fiber grown in bolls or a protective case around the plant's seeds. Grown between February and April and harvested in the fall. Making up the 5 C’s (citrus, climate, cattle, cotton, and cooper),
Timeline:
Hohokam, 1,500 first to cultivate in the Salt River Valley
USDA worked with the Pima tribe to perfect the crop in the 1900s
1900 farmers realized Arizona's climate was similar to Egypt's, the world’s renowned cotton growing area
Cotton Growers in Arizona:
Tools of Green Agriculture:
Grown in Arizona:
Pima
Extra Long Staple (ELS)
AZFAR Hall of Fame Honorees with special crop focus
Resources
Featured Events & Programs
Seasonal Showcase: Quarterly exhibits highlighting the history, cultivation, and impact of specific crops, such as winter lettuce, spring citrus, summer melons, and fall pecans.
Interactive Workshops: Hands-on opportunities to learn about crop planting, sustainable farming techniques, and the science behind soil and irrigation
Culinary Experiences: Farm-to-table dinners, cooking classes, and local food markets celebrating dishes made with Arizona-grown ingredients
Youth Engagement: Partnerships with schools and organizations to offer educational tours and activities, inspiring the next generation of agricultural stewards.
Hall of Fame Honorees: Special recognition for farmers, ranchers, and innovators whose work has had a lasting impact on Arizona agriculture.
Join us in honoring the crops that nourish us, the hands that grow them, and the legacy that sustains our community. Let's celebrate Arizona's agricultural richness and pave the way for a vibrant future!
