FARMING THE FUTURE

I believe the main difference between farming now and one hundred years from now is a stronger relationship between farmer and the natural world. This project seeks to find a way to define that relationship. The setting is the lower Verde River floodplain located within Cottonwood Arizona.

Building on a rich history of farming and education, a research center is built on the historic footprint of my aunt and uncle’s ranch that overlooks the valley to the North and East. Research is conducted on a small-scale version of the farmland that is maintained at the center of the facility.

As farmers, researchers and residents of the valley involve themselves in understanding better ways to farm, a culture of empathy will begin to develop. As all seek ways to benefit their neighbor, human and not, this pattern of care will grow, eventually spilling out of the valley itself, and on.