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.

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Resources for Farmers

Courses

Science-based curriculum for every aspect of urban and small-scale farming.

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Instructional Videos

Learn to track weather, maintain your soil, sell your harvest and so much more.

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Urban Ag Hour

Monthly webinars connecting you to research and information from experts.

Watch on YouTube

Educational Materials

Online library full of expert information on getting the most out of your agriculture operation.

Online library

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.

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Featured Events

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Soil to Table Summit

Annual gathering that strengthens Arizona's local food system by connecting small-scale, urban and beginning farmers to others committed to making fresh food accessible. View every talk from this two day event and dive deep into topics like soil and plant health, keys to being a profitable marketing growing, efficient irrigation and so much more.

watch the talks on youtube

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