Land and Water Access and Protection

Arizona, one of the most rapidly growing states in the country, is also one of the nation’s leaders in the conversion of agricultural land to primarily urban/highly developed and low-density residential uses. The state is also facing an impending water crisis, most recently felt by cutbacks to its share of water from the Colorado River, which supplies over a third of the state’s water. Now more than ever, the value of preserving land and water for agriculture should be at the forefront of the minds and hearts of policymakers and citizens alike. Although the issues of land and water are often complex, we are encouraged by the budding opportunities to work together on the issues step by step.
​The land and water access and protection priority area has three objectives. Explore the indicators we are tracking for each objective below. The stages of change model is used to describe the progress on each objective of the food action plan. 

​We are asking AZFSN partners to help us gather and collect data across the state to help track and monitor the progress of the food action plan. 

Objective 1: Facilitate / develop five trainings and/or resources focused on easing barriers to land access for the next generation of farmers.

Status: Action

Description: AZFSN will partner with individuals and organizations that specialize in farmland preservation to offer workshops, webinars, and/or toolkits on land access. 
  • ​Training 1: AZ Good Food Forum and Expo
  • Training 2: Training with AZ Land and Water Trust
  • Training 3: Northern Arizona Farmer and Rancher Resource Fair
  • Training 4: Strategies for Acquiring or Leasing Land

Data Source: AZFSN members. Progress (not started, in process, completed) on each training/resource is indicated.​

Objective 2: Engage twenty food producers to implement or improve water-efficient agricultural practices to reduce demand on limited water supply.

Status: Action

Description: Provide resources such as funding, trainings, and technical assistance to food producers that enable them to increase water conservation efforts.

Data Source: Number of producers who have implemented water conservation practices, reported by AZFSN members.​

Objective 3: Increase the number of state and local policies passed that protect and preserve agricultural land and water for smaller famers and food producers.

Status: Contemplation

Description: Local and regional coalitions will track local policies related to land and water, including through city general plans. 

Data Source: Number of poliies reported by AZFSN members. ​