David Proctor, Vice President, BKW Farms
Farming in Arizona has always meant facing challenges: water resources, shifting weather, and an ever-changing landscape. Since 1939, we’ve been part of Marana’s story, working the same land with a commitment to sustainable growth and supporting our community.
In the early days, we grew crops like cotton and alfalfa, always mindful of conserving water and caring for the land. In fact, we stopped pumping groundwater by converting to CAP water in the late 1990s, taking a leading role in water conservation before it became common practice.
Today, we grow heritage wheat varieties, such as White Sonora, with its deep history in the Southwest. These grains naturally need less water and thrive in desert soil. We mill the wheat on the farm, reducing food miles and allowing us to carefully oversee quality.
At the same time, we’ve embraced new farming methods. We grow functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Reishi in solar-powered, climate-controlled environments. These indoor farms use significantly less water, protect crops from extreme weather, and allow year-round harvests, demonstrating a sustainable path forward for future growers in the Southwest.
Farming today means more than just crops, it’s about finding ways to keep the land productive and support the community. Diversification is key, and we opened a paintball facility at our headquarters, creating a fun space for families and friends while helping sustain the farm.
Through changing seasons, markets, and growing communities, our values, sustainability, service, and stewardship, remain at the heart of all we do. After more than 86 years, we’re thankful for Marana’s continued support and proud to keep growing alongside the community that’s grown with us.