Stories - AZPM

An alfalfa field in Marana, AZ bordered by I-10. September 2023

Why is alfalfa one of Arizona's biggest crops?

Three of the 5 Cs that traditionally made up Arizona's economy have to do with agriculture. So how is that industry doing as water gets scarce?

A view of the mall at the University of Arizona taken from the Student Union.

UA project builds climate resilience through food

The project uses climate analog modeling to predict future climate conditions in a given region by comparing it to places that already have those qualities today.

Pati Jinich explores the food - and stories - of the borderlands.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The 6th annual Arizona Palooza is a free event supporting better mental health; Student directors discuss their short films for "I Dream in Widescreen 2023"; and "Stories That Soar!" features our youngest author yet.

Tuesday’s press conference to announce the over $4.7 million USDA grant to UArizona to support and promote
'climate-smart' food production was held at the ENR2’s rooftop garden. The rooftop garden is an example of how native plants can be paired with solar panels to protect plants in an increasingly hot and dry climate while water evaporating from the plants cools and makes the panels more efficient.

USDA awards $4.7 million to new partnership with UA for 'climate-smart' food production

The funding will help farmers reduce water consumption and carbon emissions.

“'Rona needs to stay away!”: How a single mother stays resilient.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Free meals for our community; and an interview with César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, author of "Migrating to Prison: America's Obsession with Locking Up Immigrants".

The exterior of the University of Arizona Poetry Center.

When was the last time you ate a poem?

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The community conversation about expanding sex education in TUSD; a brother and sister take "One Small Step" to bridge their political divide; and a look back at the 1968 movie "Targets".

San Xavier del Bac, photographed by Ray Manley.

Ray Manley's Arizona

Also on Arizona Spotlight: "From Grief to Acceptance" with Misty Proffitt-Thompson; HOCO Fest 2019 is the biggest yet; and a visit to the Vegan restaurant Tumerico.

Food Fiesta Showcases Treats from the Sonoran Desert

Event includes harvesting and cooking demonstrations, mesquite pod milling.

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona serves five counties and covers 23,000 square miles.

Feeding Our Future: Shortening the Line

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is trying new strategies to solve the root causes of hunger.

Students run the Manzo Market every two weeks, where they sell produce from their garden and eggs from the school’s chickens. Photo by Moses Thompson

Feeding Our Future: The Manzo Model for Growing a School Garden

In an age of shrinking education budgets, should school gardens be a line item?

Scarab or figeater beetles are common during the Sonoran desert's hot summer months when they come out to eat and breed.

Bright Green Beetle Makes a Sonoran Desert Appearance

Iridescent insect is active during summer months in Southern Arizona.

Pie Party Celebrates Tucson's Sweet Side

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A wrap on the 2017 State Budget; a doctor from Pakistan makes a difference in Marana; new book details UA role in space exploration.