Pharming in Phoenix - Not a Contradiction: Agritopia and Schnepf Farm

Wines from Garage East, Agritopia

Like most cities, Phoenix is composed of once-separate villages grown together into a mishmash of streets and neighborhoods - a fact that's easy to verify if you look at a map of Phoenix and discover Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue running parallel with each other a few blocks apart. Downtown is as urban as it gets, but as one moves farther out from the center of town, differences begin to appear. The area around Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek in the southeast quadrant of the city is dotted with small farms interlaced with suburban developments. In fact, the overwhelming majority of farms in Arizona are small, locally owned family operations (under $20,000 a year, according to the USDA) that still manage to produce most of the lettuce consumed in America, and an equally hefty quantity of cotton.

Ag stats aside, few of us are lucky enough to witness the birth of a new hip area, but southeast Phoenix is happening, and signs are everywhere. One of the coolest spots to visit in the area is Agritopia, the brainchild of the Johnston family, who began farming 160 acres in Gilbert in the early 1960s. Instead of selling off parcels to developers who had successfully pressured other small landowners, the Johnston clan developed it themselves, creating a planned residential community of 450 unique houses on 90 acres surrounding 11 acres of urban farmland, a chef-driven restaurant, coffee shop, winery and creative craftsman spaces. All the shops and restaurants are open to the public. The Johnstons gathered a consortium of other producers and makers to create Agritopia, reimagining the existing buildings on the property as housing various hand-made and locally related businesses, all in the most pleasant, grassy, tree-lined setting. The original family home, Joe's Farm Grill, is packed at lunch. The Coffee Shop offers fresh baked goods and local coffee, and a pay-it-yourself shop for produce and products from local businesses features tea, flour and crackers from local grower and grinder Hadley mills, coffee, chocolate and more.
 

Barnone (variously called barn one, bar none, or bar no knee, depending on who you talk to) houses a group of craft businesses such as paper makers, and a brewery, 12 West.

My FAVORITE stop on the property, however, is the winery in Garage East, run by Brian and Megan Ruffentine. It's a bright and welcoming tasting room for Arizona wines (grapes are grown in the Tucson area), ranging from tart whites to the deepest Tempranillo, reminiscent of Spain. 

Served with a delicious platter of locally cured meats, cheeses, medjool dates, honey and those Hadley Mills crackers, it's easy to while away hours here, either in the very hip and light interior, or on the shaded outdoor patio.

For a more traditional take on farming, There's Schnepf Farm. Other than the pure pleasure of saying “schnepf” while attempting to keep all your saliva in your mouth, there’s plenty to be found here for the whole gang. Breakfast is a big fave, thanks to the little patio on the side of the store and the hearty farm breakfast menu and baked goods. The store itself stocks a treasure trove of jams, salsas and local products. Schnepf’s is a real farm, 75 years in the business and run by the fourth generation of the family; they offer just-picked produce as well as u-pick whatever is in season in the fields. Thanks to this area’s unbelievably long growing season (September to July) and double harvest, there’s plenty to be found; however, most people come to Schnepf’s for its most famous product: organic peaches. The farm is the biggest producer in Arizona, and they ship all over. When out of season, there are always jams, salsas and what-all based on the fuzzy fruit. Schnepf's has special events most of the year; check their website for what's available to pick. They're closed July 5 through Labor Day.

As the city continues its relentless march (and the population continues to grow), these types of farms may shrink and disappear - so go now, when the going is good. More to come: another great local farm with a slippery twist...and a place with miles of aisles....

The Farm at Agritopia
3000 E. Ray Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 988-1238
http://thefarmatagritopia.com/

Schnepf Farms
24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 987-3100
http://www.schnepffarms.com/