Our Oatman Farms Regenerative Impact Report covers the story of Oatman Farms, why we choose to be Regenerative Organic Certified®, and details our regenerative practices and their impact. Read the full report here!
OUR FARM IS THE FIRST REGENERATIVE ORGANIC CERTIFIED® FARM IN THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
Regenerative Agriculture is not a new practice; it’s how indigenous people have been cultivating and stewarding the land for millennia. It is a farming method that promotes long-term soil health by minimizing soil disturbances and synthetic inputs so that life can thrive above and below ground, as nature intended.
Regenerative organic farming does not need chemical sprays and utilizes low/no tillage practices for soil preparation. As a result, regenerative practices promote water retention, nutrient cycling, and ultimately, biodiversity within broader ecosystems.
WE ARE COMMITED TO MAKING OUR FARMLAND AND SURROUNDINGS A RICH BIODIVERSE ECOSYSTEM.
In perhaps the hottest and driest place in the United States, we are confident that by utilizing regenerative practices, we can create a microclimate for the native species to thrive as natural resources become more readily abundant. We know the beginning of this journey is to restore the health of our soil.
OUR CROPS AND PRACTICES HELP CONSERVE WATER WITHIN THE GILA RIVER – ONE OF THE MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS IN THE UNITED STATES.
In the desert Southwest, saving water is vital. We have created and will continue pushing the boundary of our regenerative farming methods so we can conserve hundreds of millions of gallons of water beneath our farmland and surrounding watersheds.
Our farm is located on the great bend of the Gila River in Southern Arizona. With an annual rainfall of less than 5 inches, we grow heritage wheats that are adapted to the hot and dry conditions.
Every pound of our wheat conserves approximately 700 gallons of water in the Gila River aquifer compared to other commodity crops grown in our region, like alfalfa and cotton.
Our drought resistant grains are of the highest quality, as we prioritize the health and wellness of those who eat our food.
Whole Grains for Whole Lives®
Our concept is to produce premium products in a way that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable, and thereby create a model for families to keep their farms, even in the face of climate instability and water scarcity.
Oatman Flats Ranch aims to achieve this goal by growing relatively drought-tolerant crops, including perennial crops and using desert-tailored agroforestry techniques to help regenerate degraded farmland.
The first step was to gain our organic certification. This was achieved in 2019. Now, Oatman Flats Ranch is going beyond organic, and in 2021 became Regenerative Organic Certified®.
