A Sunny Harvest
While much of the nation is in hibernation and closing shop for the winter months, Somerton, Arizona is glowing with sunshine and producing abundant leafy greens. Known as the Winter Lettuce Capital of the World, Yuma County is a lush, green jewel in the Arizona desert, just miles from the Mexico border.
Long-time community member Mary Campbell is general manager of Griffin Family Farms, a winter vegetable, alfalfa, wheat and Medjool date operation. During the winter months, the operation juggles the production of many different lettuces, celery, then broccoli and cauliflower – while also managing the date trees, which are a time-intensive crop, even after their fall harvest. Mary works alongside many of her family members, including her daughter, Kelly, who is the director of food safety for the farm.
Generations of Growth
Griffin Family Farms began in 1917, when Mary’s grandfather Oscar Griffin and his wife Agnes moved from Texas and homesteaded in the lower Yuma Valley. In one year, they doubled the 40 acres they started with into a productive 80-acre farm. They built their family home on the property and gave birth to one son, Marion, Mary’s father.
Marion worked on the farm his whole life, expanding it to so much of what it is today. He had six children, all of whom have served the farm in some capacity.
Investing in the Future of Ag
The family started the University of Arizona Marion F. Griffin Memorial Agriculture Scholarship, in honor of Mary’s father. The scholarship is awarded to students in Yuma County who plan to major in agriculture and attend the University of Arizona. Over $400,000 has been awarded to aspiring agriculture students since the scholarship was established, many of whom have graduated and returned to Yuma to start their careers.
Not only do Kelly and Mary focus their energy on giving back to Yuma, they are always thinking about the broader agricultural industry. Mary and Kelly prioritize involvement in industry associations and advocating on behalf of agriculture concerning issues like water, labor and food safety.
They are continuously thinking about the legacy they want to leave for the next generation at Griffin Family Farms. They’re investing their time to stay current with scientific research educational opportunities and training, as well as their financial investment in new equipment and technology to
ensure the operation is evolving, staying efficient and remaining relevant into the future. And they’re imparting the same wisdom and core values that Griffin Family Farms has held for over a century.
Shared Values, Shared Vision
In partnership with AgWest Farm Credit, Mary and Kelly are able to improve the efficiency of their operation while upholding their core values of community, education, and sustainability. AgWest shares these principles and actively supports their needs to ensure long-term success.
“I just have to keep remembering that it’s not about me, it’s about the family and the farm, and our community,” Mary said. “We’re so blessed to be able to be a part of agriculture. It’s such a special industry with such amazing people.”
This story was originally published by AgWest Farm Credit.
