Pinnacle Farms

Phoenix, Phoenix (FUA), United States

City population: 5268907

Duration: 2011 – ongoing

Implementation status: Ongoing

Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Project area: 28328 m²

Type of area: Agricultural area or farmland

Last updated: November 2024

Over the past two decades, as Phoenix’s population has surged since the 1990s, large expanses of farmland have been paved over to make way for urban development. This transformation has increasingly disconnected the city from its agricultural roots. In 2000, Janna Anderson recognized a growing need for local farms to strengthen their ties with the community and for increased access to fresh, locally sourced produce. With a vision to reconnect the community with its agricultural heritage, she purchased a historic orchard property in southern Phoenix, near South Mountain, in 2011. The property, which included a 1918 adobe home, was transformed into a thriving mixed-fruit orchard. At Pinnacle Farms, Janna planted over 1,200 trees, including peaches, apricots, and rare Maktoom Dates, which were brought to the U.S. from Iraq in 1910. These heritage crops have unique flavors and textures not commonly found in grocery stores. In 2015, the farm became certified organic, underscoring Janna’s commitment to sustainable farming practices. Her focus is on cultivating varieties that are uniquely suited to the arid Southwest climate, using methods that conserve water and promote soil health. Janna’s approach to farming also highlights the potential of heritage varieties to support food security in the desert. By growing these rare and resilient crops, she not only preserves biodiversity but also brings attention to how such practices can contribute to a more sustainable, local food system. Pinnacle Farms serves as a living reminder of Phoenix’s agricultural history, a place where fertile soil and sustainable farming practices continue to thrive. The farm embodies the deep agricultural roots of the region, connecting Phoenix’s past to its future and proving that the city’s rich farming tradition is far from lost. (1, 2, 6, 8)

The orchard at Pinnacle Farms.

Pinnacle Farms.

Overview

Nature-based solution

Community gardens and allotments
Horticulture

Key challenges

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Preservation of historic traditions
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable production
Food scarcity / security

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

Land use and Socio-economic change
Agriculture/ crop production
Rapid urbanization
Resource Scarcity and Competition
Food insecurity due to disruptions in food production and distribution

Key priorities

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of areas for food production (community gardens, allotments), Transformation of previously derelict areas, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Sustainable use of natural resources to improve livelihoods and food security (eg. community- based wildlife or forest management)

Project objectives

The goals of Pinnacle Farms was to: To restore the abandoned historic orchard property and revitalize its agricultural potential. To preserve and promote the agricultural diversity of the desert Southwest. To employ sustainable farming practices that conserve natural resources and promote environmental health. To plant species uniquely suited to the arid climate, enhancing resilience and adaptability. To grow heritage varieties of plants, showcasing their potential to promote food security in the desert while using resources more efficiently. To serve as a representative for women in agriculture, inspiring others through leadership and example. To provide accessible, healthy food to the local community, fostering a connection between people and sustainable agriculture. To plant ancient grains and heritage crops, increasing plant biodiversity and preserving valuable agricultural history. (1-5, 7)

Implementation activities

Pinnacle Farms aimed to address several problems: land degradation, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, a lack of access to sustainable agriculture, and the community disconnect with heritage crops (1, 3-7, 9-11). To implement the vision and plan for the intervention, several key activities were carried out. First, the 2.83-hectare abandoned historic orchard property was purchased, marking the beginning of the project (1). The land was then re-developed into a thriving mixed fruit orchard, with over 1,200 trees planted, including varieties suited to the desert climate (1). Ancient grains and heritage crops such as I'itoi onions, Tohono O'odham squashes, Maktoom Dates, and Rio Bavispe pinto beans were also planted to preserve traditional farming methods and increase biodiversity (1). To make fresh, healthy produce more accessible, a self-serve produce stand was opened at the farm, allowing the local community to purchase food directly from the farm (2-3). In 2015, the farm became certified as a CCOF organic farm, further demonstrating a commitment to sustainable farming practices (3, 10).

Climate-focused activities

Climate change adaptation:

Increase the use of or more efficient agroforestry practices (e.g. soil moisture, reduce evaporation) or drought-resistant species for agriculture

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Yes

Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities

Urban heat islands, Minority or marginalized ethnic groups

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity restoration:

Restore native species

Main beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups
Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)

Governance

Management set-up

Led by non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

Citizens or community group

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

The project didn't involve any form of stakeholder participatory activities

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

Citizens or community groups: Janna Anderson a first-generation farmer and is primary actor in the initiative as she started and runs the farm with her family (1, 3-6, 8-11).

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown

... a national policy or strategy? Unknown

... a local policy or strategy? Unknown

Type of enablers

Change agents (individual with major role influence on launching)

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

Private funding by citizens

Type of funding

Unknown

Non-financial contribution

Unknown

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Achieved increased green space area
Increased number of species present
Achieved increased number of species present
Restoration of derelict areas
Achieved restoration of derelict areas
Other

Economic impacts

Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Achieved increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Generation of income from NBS
Achieved generation of income from NBS

Socio-cultural impacts

Social justice and cohesion
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Achieved increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Achieved increased access to healthy/affordable food
Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Achieved increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Achieved protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful
Achieved increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

Pinnacle Farms (n.d.). About Pinnacle Farms. [Source link];

Good Food Finder (n.d.). Phoenix Pinnacle Farms. [Source link];

CCOF (n.d.). Pinnacle Farms. [Source link];

Pinnacle Farms (n.d.). Meet the Farmette. [Source link];

FarmHer (2020). First Generation FarmHer Feeding Her Arizona Community. [Source link];

Malloy, C. (2019). Elegy for a Fruit-Treed Laveen Farm Near South Mountain. [Source link];

ZETINO, G. (2018). Arizona leads nation in proportion of female farmers. [Source link];

Davis, E (n.d.). 'A raging crisis': Metro Phoenix is losing its family farms and local food sources. [Source link];

Arizona Farm Bureau (2014). Meet Arizona Agriculture's Janna Anderson. [Source link];

10.

Murphree, J. (2014). A Conversation with a Beginner Farmer: Janna Anderson. [Source link];

11.

Natural Awakenings (n.d.). Phoenix Female Farmer: Turning Adversity to Opportunity: Janna Anderson started Pinnacle Farms when she purchased a Phoenix citrus orchard in 2011.. [Source link];

12.

RFD TV (2020). FarmHer Janna Anderson Makes Her Mark in Phoenix. [Source link];

13.

Jung, C. (2016). Women Move Up The Ranks Of Arizona's Agriculture Industry. [Source link];

14.

(n.d.). Pinnacle Farm Reviews. [Source link];

15.

Pinnacle Farms (n.d.). Events and Camping . [Source link];

16.

Estes, C (2021). Phoenix Pledges Tree Equity For All Neighborhoods By 2030. [Source link];

17.

Totiyapungprasert, P. (n.d.). They're reimagining the future of food in south Phoenix. Here's how you can be a part of it. [Source link];