Center for Urban Smart Agriculture
Transforming sustainable urban food production through purpose-driven science.
Farming in Arizona is changing
Arizona farms are about half the size they were 20 years ago, but the number of farms has more than doubled during that time, with 25% now run by beginner farmers in urban areas. Though their size is small, the impact these urban farms have on economic development, employment opportunities and access to fresh, local produce is not. The Center for Urban Smart Agriculture empowers farmers to get the most out of their land and business by leading purpose-driven science that's tailored to the unique challenges facing urban growers in the Sonoran Desert.
Resources for farmers
Courses
Science-based curriculum for every aspect of urban and small-scale farming.
Instructional Videos
Learn to track weather, maintain your soil, sell your harvest and so much more.
Urban Ag Hour
Monthly webinars connecting you to research and information from experts.
Educational Materials
Online library full of expert information on getting the most out of your agriculture operation.
Urban Ag Production, Small-Scale, Beginner Farmer Program
Half of Arizona farms operate on fewer than 10 acres, with 88% of these farms earning less than $25,000 in annual sales. Many of these farmers are also new to agriculture and need support on how to grow crops and their business. We work with farmers to build a foundation for success through educational programming and mentorship.
2026 Soil to Table Summit
Join producers, educators, businesses, government agencies, nonprofits and community partners on November 9-10 to explore topics important to Arizona agriculture. Sessions will cover farm-to-table connections, mushroom production in Arizona, food safety, soil health, agricultural water resources, agribusiness, opportunities for veterans in agriculture, Arizona Grown, Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and hydroponics, cut flower production, Indigenous crops, and more.
Our mission and goals are focused
The University of Arizona Center for Urban Smart Agriculture (UACUSA) is an umbrella organization that facilitates collaboration among U of A specialists, urban farming communities, small-scale farmers, beginning farming communities, relevant academic institutions, government representatives, industry professionals, and students. Our areas of focus include water and climate, agroecology and sustainable production, business, socioeconomics and entrepreneurship, policy, evaluation, supply chains, and healthy diets and human nutrition.
Advocate
Promote policies that support urban and sustainable agriculture production and enable dynamic business, entrepreneurship and supply chain systems.
Communicate
Connect local, regional, statewide and national partners together to maximize the impact of initiatives serving urban and sustainable agriculture.
Create
Develop research and education models specific to urban producers and sustainable practices in the Sonoran Desert.
Evaluate
Analyze environmental, socioeconomic and political factors that shape urban agriculture in Arizona and monitor the impacts of adopting sustainable practices over time and across the state.
Community impact
Meet the team
Dr. Ayman Mostafa
UACUSA Director
Field Crops IPM & Urban Ag Production Interim Director
Programmatic Area Agent
University of Arizona Maricopa Cooperative Extension Regional Specialist, Entomology
602-827-8213
602-290-8061
ayman@arizona.edu
