Progress report for WPDP25-016
Project Information
This project addresses the distinct challenges faced by urban, small-scale, and beginning farmers in Arizona’s arid regions. Small-scale farms, comprising 76% of all farms in Arizona, are mostly under 50 acres and often concentrated in metropolitan areas. Beginning farmers, with less than 10 years of experience, represent 24% of the farming population in Arizona, a figure lower than the national average. These groups face unique pest management challenges, with limited access to sustainable strategies for addressing common pest issues such as weeds, arthropods, and diseases.
To address these needs, the project will develop an Extension program using a train-the-trainer model. Through surveys, input from Cooperative Extension personnel, Master Gardeners, and community engagement, the project will identify pest management needs. The program will then deliver content focused on sustainable pest management practices tailored for small-scale operations. Training will include on-demand virtual courses, live presentations, in-person workshops, and digital and print media. Participants will gain hands-on experience and pass this knowledge on within their communities. Program evaluation will be carried out through pre- and post-surveys, feedback sessions, and reports from trainers. Assessments will measure knowledge gained, intent to adopt sustainable practices, and actual adoption rates.
This project aligns with Western SARE’s goals by promoting natural resource stewardship and improving the quality of life for Arizona’s farmers. By reducing reliance on chemical controls, it supports environmental sustainability and protects vital soil and water resources. Additionally, it fosters economic resilience for small-scale and beginning farmers, enhancing the viability and diversity of Arizona's agricultural sector. Our ultimate goal is to reduce chemical pest control reliance, bolster economic and environmental sustainability, and improve resilience and self-reliance among Arizona’s small-scale and urban farming communities, enhancing Arizona’s agricultural diversity and promoting long-term environmental health.
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Increase understanding of sustainable pest management needs among small-scale and beginning farmers by gathering data on specific pest management concerns through surveys and questionnaires distributed to program participants and community networks.
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Strengthen community connections by identifying key individuals with expertise in urban and small-scale farming, including Cooperative Extension personnel, Master Gardeners, farmers, and active community members, to build a supportive network for sustainable agriculture education.
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Enhance knowledge of sustainable pest management practices among urban, small-scale, and beginning farmers through targeted training programs covering common pests (arthropods, weeds, and diseases) and prevention-focused strategies, designed to prepare participants to implement these practices effectively.
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Increase the capacity of trainers by equipping them with advanced skills and knowledge in sustainable pest management through workshops and teaching opportunities that reinforce their ability to train others within their communities.
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Measure program impact and participant learning outcomes by assessing knowledge gained, intent to adopt sustainable practices, and actual adoption of these practices, using pre- and post-surveys and interactive feedback sessions with program participants.
Arizona’s urban, small-scale, and beginning farmers face unique challenges in an arid climate where traditional practices often fall short. Small-scale farms, defined as under 50 acres, comprise 76% of all farms in Arizona, with over half under 10 acres and situated in urban areas. These farms contribute significantly to the economy but often lack the resources available to larger operations. Beginning farmers, representing 24% of Arizona’s farming population, typically operate on smaller acreages with less than 10 years of experience—below the national average of 30%. They face particular challenges in pest management, with limited access to sustainable strategies that minimize reliance on chemical controls (USDA Census, 2022).
To meet these needs, this project proposes a comprehensive train-the-trainer program equipping Arizona’s urban, small-scale and beginning farmers with sustainable pest management techniques for weeds, arthropods, and diseases. Our approach centers on prevention-based methods suited to Arizona’s arid environment and urban settings, where chemical pest controls are often impractical or undesired due to environmental impacts.
An analysis of prior Western SARE-funded projects shows that while some initiatives support small-scale and beginning farmers, few target Arizona’s specific pest management needs. For example, the “Training Beginning Farmers in Crop Production Skills to Build Climate Resilience” project promoted general sustainability but lacked a focus on Arizona-specific pest control (Hashley, 2019). This project builds on those foundations by providing a curriculum tailored to address pest management in Arizona’s unique climate, filling a critical gap.
To ensure relevance, we will engage Cooperative Extension specialists, Master Gardeners, experienced farmers, and agricultural professionals to identify the primary pest challenges Arizona’s small-scale and beginning farmers face. Their insights will guide educational resources, including on-demand virtual courses, live webinars, in-person workshops, and printed materials. These resources will cover integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, arid-climate prevention strategies, and non-chemical control options. Leveraging a train-the-trainer model will empower agricultural professionals to disseminate this knowledge widely, establishing a sustainable learning network.
The program’s success will be measured through pre- and post-training surveys, feedback sessions, and trainer reports assessing knowledge gains, adoption intent, and implementation rates. This evaluation ensures the program fosters practical adoption of sustainable pest management techniques. Our ultimate goals are to reduce chemical reliance, strengthen small-scale farmers’ economic resilience, and boost self-reliance among Arizona’s urban and beginning farming communities.
Through this project, we aim to create a sustainable agricultural future for Arizona’s urban, small-scale, and beginning farmers. By addressing local pest management challenges with region-specific, sustainable solutions, this initiative aligns with Western SARE’s mission to promote environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social equity in agriculture. The project’s scalable approach and strong community engagement will provide a lasting foundation of sustainable pest management, enhancing Arizona’s agricultural diversity and supporting long-term environmental health.
Months 1-3: Initiation
Milestone: Finalize surveys and identify community stakeholders.
Participants: Project team, Cooperative Extension staff, Master Gardeners.
Outcome: Distribution-ready surveys and a contact list of stakeholders.
Months 4-6: Needs Assessment
Milestone: Distribute surveys and conduct focus groups to assess needs.
Participants: Small-scale farmers, Extension personnel and agents.
Outcome: Needs assessment report outlining pest management challenges.
Months 7-9: Training Material Development
Milestone: Develop digital courses, virtual presentations, and workshop outlines.
Participants: Project team, Extension content advisors.
Outcome: Ready-to-launch, accessible training materials.
Months 10-12: Initial Training
Milestone: Launch digital courses, virtual sessions, and introductory workshops.
Participants: Project team, farmers, trainers.
Outcome: Baseline survey data and participant feedback to guide adjustments.
Months 13-15: Trainer Preparation
Milestone: Train selected trainers in sustainable practices.
Participants: Trainers, Extension staff.
Outcome: Trainers equipped with resources to teach independently.
Months 16-18: Evaluation
Milestone: Conduct post-training surveys and collect trainer feedback.
Participants: Farmers, trainers, evaluators.
Outcome: Data on knowledge gains, adoption intentions, and practice adoption.
Months 19-21: Community Training
Milestone: Trainers conduct local workshops, with program monitoring.
Participants: Trainers, local farmers.
Outcome: Broadened engagement and updated training resources.
Months 22-24: Final Evaluation
Milestone: Finalize surveys, gather comprehensive feedback, and submit project report.
Participants: Project team, trainers, farmers.
Outcome: Final report with data on program impact, reach, and recommendations for future programming.
Cooperators
- - Producer
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Education
The project used a multifaceted educational approach that combined hands on field demonstrations, in person workshops, lecture based instruction, and curriculum development. In the first year, two interactive field based workshops were conducted, one at the Center’s urban farming field site in Phoenix, Arizona and one in Flagstaff, Arizona. These sessions provided participants with applied training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, incorporating vertebrate pest management, insect pest sampling techniques, and management strategies. In addition, the project team developed a draft Arizona specific IPM curriculum to support future trainings and broader outreach efforts. This curriculum will be available at no cost through an e learning platform.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Provide foundational training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concepts and sustainable pest control strategies for urban and small-scale growers in Arizona.
This hands on workshop, held on July 8, 2025 at the program’s urban farming site in Phoenix, Arizona, introduced participants to the core principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), emphasizing prevention based approaches and targeted interventions that are effective, affordable, and environmentally responsible. The training was designed for urban and small scale growers with varying levels of experience.
Workshop activities included field based scouting demonstrations, identification of insect pests and beneficial insects using live specimens, gopher management, weed control, and discussion of pest management strategies appropriate for urban farming systems. Participants also received instruction on basic pesticide safety within an IPM decision making framework.
Participants learned pest-scouting techniques, including insect identification and vertebrate pest management (such as gophers), and developed a better understanding of how beneficial species contribute to biological control. The workshops increased awareness of pest management options for urban production systems and emphasized safe and responsible pesticide use within an IPM framework.
As a result of this workshops, participants are better equipped to make informed pest management decisions, apply monitoring techniques in their own operations, and select lower risk control options when appropriate. These outcomes support longer term adoption of IPM practices and reduced reliance on broad spectrum chemical controls.
Provide a comprehensive introductory overview of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and sustainable pest control strategies across multiple pest types to prepare participants to implement IPM in Arizona production systems, primarily in a small-scale and urban setting.
This presentation and demonstration held on September 24, 2025 in Flagstaff, Arizona introduced the fundamentals of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a prevention-based, systems-level approach to managing weeds, arthropods, plant diseases, and vertebrate pests in urban and small-scale agricultural settings. The session was designed as a primary introduction to IPM for participants with limited prior exposure to formal pest management training.
Content focused on the IPM decision-making process, including pest identification, monitoring and scouting, economic and aesthetic thresholds, selection of cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls, and strategies for implementing IPM programs within Arizona’s arid climate. The presentation emphasized steps growers and agricultural professionals can take to begin integrating sustainable pest management practices into their operations.
Participants increased their understanding of the full IPM framework and how multiple pest groups can be addressed through coordinated management strategies. The session improved participant readiness to implement basic IPM programs and reinforced the role of prevention-focused practices in reducing reliance on chemical inputs. These outcomes support the project’s long-term goals of expanding adoption of sustainable pest management practices among Arizona’s urban and small-scale farming communities.
Develop and finalize an Arizona focused IPM curriculum and obtain approval through the University of Arizona non credit system so the material can be delivered statewide through Cooperative Extension and partner organizations and used for micro credentialing.
The draft of IPM curriculum is being finalized and will be submitted to the University of Arizona non credit approval system. The draft curriculum will be reviewed by University of Arizona specialists for accuracy and that material reflects statewide priorities and production conditions before submission for non credit approval.
In the short term, the project will produce a complete curriculum ready for formal review. Non credit approval will allow the course to be offered statewide through Cooperative Extension and partner organizations and will support micro credentialing for participants who complete the training. The broader use of the curriculum is expected to support consistent IPM teaching, improved pest management decisions, and reduced reliance on broad spectrum pesticides in urban production systems.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
During this reporting period, the project focused on establishing baseline training and expanding capacity for pest management education across Arizona. One in person workshop and an introductory IPM presentation reached 20 participants and provided hands on instruction in pest scouting, insect identification, gopher management, and IPM decision making. Participants reported greater awareness of prevention based strategies and control options suited to Arizona small scale and urban production systems.
The project team is in the process of finalizing a draft Arizona specific IPM curriculum to support future trainings through Cooperative Extension and partner organizations. New working relationships with collaborators in Flagstaff and at the field demonstration site at Spaces of Opportunity in Phoenix, Arizona expanded the project network and geographic reach.
Follow up surveys and tracking tools are being finalized to document longer term adoption, use of training materials, and additional farmer reach in upcoming reporting periods.