Our mission is to restore Arizona's desert through sustainable cacti cultivation—conserving water, regenerating soil, nourishing communities, and combating hunger by delivering abundant fresh food to local families."

 

The Urgency Arizona faces intensifying challenges: severe water scarcity, degraded soils, and widespread food insecurity. Approximately 900,000 Arizonans rely on SNAP assistance, and only 9% of Maricopa County households receiving assistance consistently meet daily fruit and vegetable guidelines.

 

With ongoing drought conditions, traditional agriculture strains our limited resources, deepening food insecurity and environmental decline. Sustainable solutions that align nutrition security with ecological restoration have become critically essential.

 

Our Solution & Impact At Prickly Pearizona

we cultivate native prickly-pear cactus species (Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia santa-rita) specially adapted to Arizona’s arid climate. Our practices harness the extraordinary water efficiency of these cacti—using approximately 63 times less water than almonds, 80 times less water than avocados, and 10 times less water than lettuce—making our farm uniquely suited to Arizona's environmental realities. Beyond efficient water use, our cacti cultivation actively restores degraded desert soil, promoting biodiversity and increasing soil carbon content through natural regeneration practices. Every part of the cactus is utilized, exemplifying a zero-waste, circular-economy model. Most importantly, our commitment to community is unwavering. We pledge to donate at least 25% of our fresh produce directly to local Arizona food banks, amounting to a minimum of 20,000 pounds of nutritious produce over five years—approximately 80,000 servings. Through proactive community education programs, we empower local residents, particularly youth, with practical skills in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and nutritional awareness. Measurable Goals Within our first five years of operation, Prickly Pearizona aims to achieve:

Desert Restoration

Transform 35 acres of previously unused desert land into productive, regenerative farmland. • Water Conservation: ◦ Maintain irrigation efficiency below 25 liters per kilogram of produce—dramatically outperforming traditional crops grown in Arizona. • Food Security & Donations: ◦ Donate at least 20,000 pounds of fresh cactus produce to local food banks, significantly contributing to nutrition security within our community. • Soil Regeneration: ◦ Increase soil organic carbon content to at least 1% through sustainable farming techniques, including cactus-based composting and biochar applications. • Renewable Energy: ◦ Realistically integrate renewable solar energy to supply approximately 50% of farm operations, enhancing our sustainability and reducing reliance on external resources. 

Community Engagement & Education

Offer at least 250 volunteer hours annually by Year 4, providing practical, educational experiences in sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and food cultivation. Join Our Mission Prickly Pearizona embodies a powerful and practical model of desert agriculture, aligning ecological regeneration, nutritional security, community engagement, and sustainability. We warmly invite partnerships, collaboration, and community involvement as we strive to build a resilient, thriving Arizona.