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The ����TV���� is spearheading a bold new initiative to drive innovation and sustainability for one of the state’s most vital industries — agriculture. In partnership with the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the board's Future of Arizona series convened university researchers, state officials and agricultural producers in Yuma this week to co-develop a strategic roadmap for sustainable agriculture in arid environments, and to launch a statewide think-tank focused on solving pressing agricultural challenges.

Held at the University of Arizona’s Yuma Agricultural Center, the convening spotlighted the state’s $30 billion agriculture industry and Yuma’s significant role in this sector. Regent Fred DuVal emphasized the urgency and opportunity of the moment.

“This convening is an opportunity to co-design research with stakeholders and identify near-term, high-impact solutions that can be supported in the fields,” said Regent DuVal. “Our collective efforts will yield tangible results and position Arizona as a leader in sustainable agriculture. This collaboration is essential and it's powerful.”

The meeting focused on innovative solutions to address critical challenges in water management and crop production in one of the nation's most demanding agricultural landscapes. Participants highlighted Arizona's unique agricultural testing capabilities, with a focus on developing sustainable practices that can thrive in water-limited environments. Yuma's unique conditions provide an ideal environment for technological innovation and testing.

Insights from the Yuma gathering will potentially guide future funding and research priorities, including a possible Regents’ Research Grant focused on innovations that can be rapidly deployed to strengthen the state’s agricultural success. Regents’ Grants, supported by the Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), aim to real-world impact through translatable research and practical solutions that yield tangible benefits for Arizona. The board will review recommendations from the meeting to determine opportunities where university research can be quickly implemented and provide immediate value to the state’s agricultural sector.

This initiative reflects the regents’ commitment to advancing the universities’ role as state assets, driving economic growth and community well-being. By uniting university experts, agricultural industry leaders and policymakers, statewide resources can better tackle urgent agricultural challenges and deliver results that impact the lives of Arizonans.

“Our public universities’ unique programs can address the challenges that agriculture is facing and then bring it all together with state, university and elected leaders along with the board of regents,” said Paul Brierley, director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. “With all of us working together, we can understand what the challenges are and bring solutions.”

This collaborative approach is crucial to driving innovation, sustainability and success in Arizona's agricultural industry. Arizona state Sen. Tim Dunn, a lifelong Yuma resident and local farmer, emphasized the global significance of the state's agricultural research and collaborative efforts.

“The world is watching what we're doing in Arizona,” Sen. Dunn said. “They want to see us succeed because they want to replicate what we're doing in Arizona, replicate what we're doing here in Yuma. This collaboration is a good footprint and snapshot to put on it, because the world is watching.”

During the convening, Dunn participated in a panel addressing industry challenges and highlighted the urgent need for research partnerships that can develop practical solutions, such as advanced sensing technologies, artificial intelligence applications and strategies to manage soil health and salinity. The farmers on the panel, Matt McGuire from JV Farms and Mark Smith of Smith Farms, emphasized that their work isn't just about local production, but about maintaining the nation's food security.

Experts from Arizona's three public universities showcased their complementary research strengths in driving agricultural innovation. Arizona State University highlighted the institution’s nearly $50 million in agricultural research awards and cutting-edge breakthroughs in AI applications and food systems. Northern Arizona University shared advances in soil health research, emphasizing the human-land connection. The University of Arizona focused on practical solutions through its land-grant mission, including water conservation and desert farming technologies. Together, their presentations signaled a unified commitment to solving Arizona’s agricultural challenges through collaboration and applied research.

The meeting closed with an open discussion, creating an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in direct, unfiltered dialogue about these challenges. The candid conversation allowed experts in each field to share real-world experiences, from water management strategies and technological innovations to policymaking and industry challenges.

“Universities are in the business of getting talent together around different intellectual disciplines in order to try and solve problems. And we had people here from every discipline and every university,” said Regent DuVal. “When you've got an industry like agriculture, which is one of the most impactful and important industries in the state of Arizona, the work we're doing here to make sure that that's sustainable is worthy of state support.”