East Maricopa Natural Resource Group Works With New Neighbors

Contact: Renee Bodine (602) 280-8778
or George Couch (602) 280-8806   

MESA, ARIZ. - April 30, 2007 - Local farms and ranches have been getting new neighbors in the past decade. Cows see cars whizzing by and housing developments surrounding their fields. Instead of sharing their water with open fields and crops, livestock and people are using the same water.

Arizona’s natural resources still exist and support us, whether we are farmers or suburban white-collar workers. A local natural resource group set out to learn more about our new communities

The East Maricopa Natural Resource Conservation District sponsored the Extreme Garden Expo April 28 at Superstition Farm in Mesa. Cows, horses, and chickens greeted some new visitors. The people from the East Maricopa NRCD made new friends as well.

“We wanted to meet and greet our neighbors,” said Linda Diamantides, East Maricopa NRCD Education Director.” “We know it’s not a farming and ranching area like it was, so we want to know how we can work with and support what is here now.”

Families brought their children to get a free pony ride or touch a cow. A free garden expo showed people how to plan and plant a beautiful desert garden, getting past the notion of desert landscaping as different colored rocks.

A series of workshops is planned to complete the garden. Residents can get free advice to learn how to plan a garden, what to plant, and ask questions. For more information, contact Diamantides at (602) 292-6377.
 

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