As Arizona’s first Regenerative Organic Certified farm, Oatman Farms is committed to the growth of Arizona’s regenerative food network. Oatman Farms is now taking a significant step in expanding its infrastructure to strengthen Arizona’s farm-to-school and farm-to-table supply chains and meet growing demand for its Regenerative Organic Certified products. “Oatman Flats Ranch is excited to receive the Business Builder grant because it helps us build the infrastructure to provide farm-to-fork Regenerative Organic Certified food to Arizona schools, bakeries, restaurants and health-conscious eaters,” said co-founder Dax Hansen. “The Business Builder award helps us elevate the value chain with a walk-in freezer and refrigeration unit, improved packaging equipment, and sustainable logistics with local food hubs while supporting the integrity of the products for the community we serve.” This investment will allow the farm to optimize quality, expand production, and support a more resilient regional food network.
The new infrastructure complements Oatman Farms’ new 48” stone mill that increases flour output. Now, Oatman Farms is focused on scaling its packaging, storage, and fulfillment capacity to keep pace with wholesale customers, including school districts, across Arizona. They are deepening long-standing collaborations with local commercial bakeries and food hubs to ensure reliable fulfillment for customers. As a family-owned farm revitalized through regenerative and organic practices, Oatman Farms is building the state’s first vertically-integrated Regenerative Organic Certified farming, stone milling and food production operation. They are also demonstrating a viable pathway for growers to transition into low-water heirloom grain production.
This eight-month effort aims to stabilize operations, reduce waste through reusable packaging, expand freezer capacity, and strengthen human resource management. By increasing storage, packaging efficiency, and product quality preservation, the project will support higher order volumes, open new customer accounts, and bolster profitability and sustainability across the local B2B network. In the long term, the hope is that increased market demand generated through this project will encourage more regional farmers to adopt regenerative, water-conserving farming practices, expanding the environmental and economic impact throughout Arizona’s food system.