Arizona Department of Agriculture

Arizona Department of Agriculture Arizona's diverse agriculture community pours more than $30.9 billion into the state's economy. Title 3) enacted by the Arizona State Legislature.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
The Arizona Department of Agriculture uses its social media platforms to connect with the public, share pertinent and emergency information, and encourage open, diverse discussions. Because our pages are accessible to all Arizonans, including families, we are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment. Our agency’s actions and programs are directed by state statutes (A.R.S. While we highly value your input and welcome varying viewpoints, we do not have the authority to alter state law. To advocate for changes to these policies, we respectfully encourage you to reach out to your elected officials. To keep our digital spaces fair and free from intimidation, we do not tolerate name-calling, harassment, or abuse toward community members or staff. Additionally, disruptive posts, spam, profanity, unrelated content, and political agendas are strictly prohibited. We actively monitor our platforms and will take appropriate action, including removing comments or blocking users, to enforce these policies and protect the integrity of our digital community. While we highly value varying viewpoints, behaviors that violate the clear prohibitions above (such as name-calling, targeted harassment, spam, or profanity) can be actively moderated. However, prior to deleting or hiding any non-compliant comment, staff must capture a high-resolution screenshot detailing the timestamp and user account name, then save it in their division's secure compliance/archiving folder. Comments will be hidden or removed if they contain:
- Direct, credible threats of physical violence against any individual, employee, or group.
- Severe, targeted cyberbullying, personal defamation, or explicit harassment directed at users or agency staff.
- Obscene language, explicit profanity, or sexually explicit material.
- Clear commercial solicitation, spam links, or fraudulent phishing schemes.
- Promotion of illegal activities or content that compromises public safety. Users who repeatedly violate these safety terms may be temporarily or permanently blocked from interacting with this page. Updated 6/4/2026

AZDA Director Paul Brierley and Brian McGrew with the Office of Plant Services had the opportunity to visit the Arizona ...
09/13/2026

AZDA Director Paul Brierley and Brian McGrew with the Office of Plant Services had the opportunity to visit the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council to meet their new director who officially started this week!

During their visit, they learned more about ACRPC‘s mission and the important work they’ve done to eradicate the pink bollworm, as well as the AF–36 aflatoxin reduction products they produce and sell. They also toured the USDA Naval Orange Worm Sterile Moth production facility and got an inside look at the innovative work being done to protect Arizona’s agriculture.

Congratulations to Jack Peterson on his retirement after 32 years of dedicated service to the Arizona Department of Agri...
09/10/2026

Congratulations to Jack Peterson on his retirement after 32 years of dedicated service to the Arizona Department of Agriculture! 🎉

Retiring as the Assistant Director of the Environmental and Consumer Protection Division, Jack has made a lasting impact on our department and the public that we serve. Thank you, Jack, for more than three decades of commitment and service. We wish you all the best in retirement.

The Douglas Port of Entry reopened yesterday, August 24, for cattle imports from Sonora, Mexico, under enhanced USDA and...
08/25/2026

The Douglas Port of Entry reopened yesterday, August 24, for cattle imports from Sonora, Mexico, under enhanced USDA and AZDA screening, treatment, inspection, tracking, and movement protocols.

This reopening advances three priorities for Arizona:

🐄 Supporting Arizona’s beef and farm economy: Safe feeder-cattle movement supports producers, feedyards, border communities, rural jobs, and the broader agricultural economy.

🛡️ Protecting livestock and wildlife: Arizona has no confirmed cases of New World screwworm. In response to the New World screwworm threat in Sonora, USDA and AZDA have strengthened and enhanced safeguards. AZDA will continue working closely with USDA and our federal, state, local, tribal, industry, and Mexican partners to assess risk, monitor conditions, and adjust response measures as needed.

🪰 Preparing to fight screwworm: USDA is advancing preparations for a future sterile-fly dispersal facility in Douglas, with Arizona facilitating the effort as part of the broader strategy to prevent and respond to New World screwworm.

Stay vigilant, and immediately report suspected New World screwworm cases.

Don’t miss this deadline, Arizona growers!USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program application deadli...
08/05/2026

Don’t miss this deadline, Arizona growers!

USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program application deadline is this Friday, August 7. If you planted eligible fruits, vegetables, or tree nuts in 2025 and filed an acreage report with FSA, you may already have a pre-filled application waiting for you.

This program offers one-time payments to help offset elevated input costs and market disruption for specialty crop producers. Complete your application now online or at your local FSA county office.

For a list of eligible crops or to apply, click here:

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

A new sterile fly dispersal facility is coming to Douglas, AZ as part of a broader federal strategy to combat New World ...
08/05/2026

A new sterile fly dispersal facility is coming to Douglas, AZ as part of a broader federal strategy to combat New World screwworm and protect our state’s livestock and wildlife. By helping strengthen the fight against New World screwworm, this facility will support Arizona agriculture and help reduce the risk of outbreak.

On July 29, 2026 the USDA announced up to a $25 million commitment to the facility. This project is made possible with strong direction and support from the Governor’s Office, as well as our partners at the University of Arizona and Cochise County.

07/30/2026
07/28/2026

Mission Critical: Arizona Farm Bureau gathered with industry leaders, aggies, and others to host an inbound trade mission with Panama and Colombia. The "Colombia - Panama Arizona Ag Tour and Industry Roundtable" today brought representatives together from the Arizona Department of Agriculture, U of A, Pinal Feeding, Shamrock Farms, Arizona Grain, 5 Rivers Feeding McElhaney, Arizona Cattle Feeders, Sierra Farming Partnership, Arizona Cotton Growers Association, and delegates from Colombia and Panama. Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley facilitated the Roundtable.

07/28/2026

This week, USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins spoke at the WASDA meeting in Flagstaff, AZ 🌄 - hosted by National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and Arizona Department of Agriculture - discussing regional preparedness for New World screwworm. 🪰

USDA staff are on the ground with producers 🧑‍🌾👩‍🌾🔎 performing inspections, sharing guidance, and ensuring resources reach areas where risk is highest.

We’re committed to meeting producers and stakeholders where they are! 🤝

Starting August 24, 2026, the USDA will begin a phased reopening of southern border ports for cattle imports from Sonora...
07/28/2026

Starting August 24, 2026, the USDA will begin a phased reopening of southern border ports for cattle imports from Sonora, Mexico, beginning at the Douglas, AZ port of entry.

To protect Arizona’s livestock, wildlife, and ranchers, Director Brierley of the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) has issued Director’s Order 26-04, enforcing enhanced screening and tracking protocols on top of the USDA's federal guidelines.

Here is inside look at the "Triple-Check" safety system every animal must pass:

🔍 CHECK 1: Preliminary Vet Screening (Mexico) - Trained veterinarians conduct individual health checks and administer antiparasitic treatments before cattle enter export facilities.

🔍 CHECK 2: Pre-Export Quarantine (Mexico) - Cattle are held for 3 to 5 days in certified low-risk staging pens and inspected a second time by Mexican agricultural officials (SENASICA).

🔍 CHECK 3: Hands-On USDA Exam (Border) - At the Douglas port, USDA veterinarians conduct a 100% individual, hands-on physical exam on every single animal.

💦 THE DIPPING VAT - Once cleared by USDA vets, cattle pass through a 30-foot pesticide dipping vat—fully submerging head-to-tail—to eliminate any hidden pests or larvae.

🥩 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• There are currently NO confirmed cases of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Arizona.
• NWS is an external pest, not a disease. Grocery supply beef remains 100% safe.

🔗 STAY INFORMED & REPORT:

• Read the full press release via the link in our bio or visit agriculture.az.gov.
• If you spot unusual fly activity or maggots in a wound, isolate the animal and contact the Office of the State Veterinarian immediately:

📞 602-542-4293

📧 [email protected]

Finding the right market is only the beginning. Having the right resources can help you get there.Whether you're looking...
07/20/2026

Finding the right market is only the beginning. Having the right resources can help you get there.

Whether you're looking to expand into emerging export markets, strengthen the competitiveness of your specialty crops, overcome international trade barriers, or connect with qualified buyers, there are resources available to help Arizona food and agricultural businesses take the next step.

This final part of our Trade & Export Resources series highlights programs that support:
💰 Cost-Share Funding
🌎 New Market Development
🤝 Buyer Connections
🌱 Specialty Crop Competitiveness
📚 Export Education & Market Intelligence

Don’t forget to save this post so you can come back and explore the best resources for your business.

Visit AZGrown.AZ.gov to learn more and explore more resources!

Address

1110 W. Washington Street , Suite 450
Phoenix, AZ
85007

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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