MAC Farm hosts Desert Ag-Ventures in February

Maricopa Agricultural Center is set for a busy February.

The MAC Farm hosts its annual Desert Ag-Ventures Tours for senior residents and winter visitors on four days. Registration fee of $20 includes a hot lunch.

Ag-Ventures are an opportunity to learn how agriculture works in Arizona and how farming in the west may be different than it is elsewhere in the country. The tours typically draw “snowbirds” from the Midwest who already know a thing or two about farming.

Extension agent Victor Jimenez, who will demonstrate how to siphon water and also allow participants to give it a try, said there will be six other presenters. Speakers may vary depending on the dates of the tour.

Long-time Maricopa resident Oliver Anderson of Anderson-Palmisano Farms will talk about Arizona agriculture. Jay Subramani, a researcher in the School of Plant Sciences at the University of Arizona, will discuss Arizona cotton. U of A Assistant Professor Pedro Andrada will explain precision agriculture.

Master Gardener Judy Walp will be in the garden that bears her name to talk about home gardens. U of A microbiologist Natalie Brassil has a presentation on Arizona water. Public health entomologist Lucy Li will also talk about agriculture.

The tours are Feb. 6, 8, 13 and 20. Each day starts with check-in at 9:30 a.m. Registration is limited. The programs run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include a ride around the farm on a tractor-trailer.

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This story appears in the February issue of InMaricopa.