Tucson Opinion: COVID-19 impacts demonstrate why Southern Arizona needs more farmers | Local Editorials and Opinion

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The following is the author’s opinion and analysis:

For the past 16 months, COVID-19 has had a major impact on food and agriculture in southern Arizona. Food manufacturers and distributors have faced ongoing challenges in food production, distribution and sales. Still, there is a silver lining: our latest report, produced by the University of Arizona’s Center for Regional Food Studies, documents a resurgence in interest in and demand for local food.

It remains to be seen how southern Arizona’s food producers will meet the growing demand for local food. Turning to a post-pandemic food system, we face a problem: where is the next generation of farmers and ranchers in Arizona?

As Arizona farmers get older, younger farmers are not taking their place. According to the American Farmland Trust, Arizona farmers over 65 outperform producers under 35 by 5 to 1, making the state’s replacement rate among retired farmers among the worst in the country.

Arizona farmers and ranchers are disappearing. And with them, the benefits of local food production for the local economy and communities are lost. However, this loss is not inevitable – it is a political choice.

Attracting more people to agriculture is key to maintaining local food production and the economic, social and environmental benefits that come with it. Local food systems offer several advantages, including fresh food, green spaces, strong community relationships, and economic development. Additional benefits were uncovered during the pandemic when producers, traders and advocacy groups worked together to support local food production while responding to increasing food insecurity in the region.

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