6918 N. Camino Martin #120 Marana, AZ 85741 Website
Agriculture has been present and a key part of daily life and culture in what is now Marana for thousands of years. There is evidence of irrigation canals dating back 3,200 years in present-day Marana.
The Santa Cruz has been the lifeblood of agriculture in the region for millennia. The Hohokam used irrigation canals to supply their villages in the river’s floodplain. Higher in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, they used rudimentary dams and channels to utilize the water flowing off the mountains towards the Santa Cruz.
Modern agriculture took off in Marana in the early 1920’s, about 50 years before the Town of Marana was incorporated. Cotton and wheat grow very well in the Sonoran Desert, and formed the basis for the modern farms and ranches that make up northwestern Marana.
Although Marana is now a modern, rapidly-developing community, agriculture remains an important industry and a big part of our community’s identity and spirit.
Western Movies
Marana’s ranching heritage, vast desert expanses, and scenic backdrops have made it an ideal setting for many Western movies throughout the years. There are several ways you can get up close and personal with Marana’s western film history!
Marana Is A Great Place to Celebrate Fall
The abundance of wheat, cotton, and other crops in Marana’s fields give it a down-home feeling in the fall, which may give you the illusion that you’re in the Midwest, instead of Arizona. Marana is a great place to celebrate the harvest season and everything that goes along with it, complete with an authentic look and feel.
Marana is Horse Country
Take in Marana’s western heritage just like the cowboys of old did, on horseback! It’s a unique and authentically Southwestern experience. Marana has many ways to experience the desert on horseback, whether you’re a seasoned rider, or just starting out.
Ingredients Grown In Marana
The cotton and wheat grown in Marana are used to supply breweries, bakeries, and clothiers both in Arizona and around the world.
For example, the Sonoran White Wheat grown at BKW Farms is used by local breweries both in Marana and around the Tucson area, including Button Brew House and Catalina Brewing Company. It also is the main ingredient in Barrio Bread, an artisan baker that is a staple of the Tucson community. But perhaps the most interesting use for Sonoran White Wheat is that it is preferred by several Italian pasta-makers, so it is shipped to Italy to be turned into delicious pasta. You can taste pasta from Marana-grown wheat at local restaurant Dominick’s Real Italian!
8330 N. Thornydale Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741 (520) 744-2002 Website
6800 N Camino Martin Suite 160 Tucson, AZ 85741 (520) 268-8543 Website