Elevate AZ | Summer 2018

National Bank of Arizona®

By Air,

By Land,

By Water

A COUNTY CALLED ‘THE PEACE’

Experience the beauty and wonder of Arizona with an adventure trifecta

Tracing the development of growth of La Paz County

OLD WEST MEETS NEW ECONOMY In the 21st century, some of the state’s most iconic businesses continue to thrive

SUMMER 2018

LET’S TALK

dreams Your National Bank of Arizona® banker is looking forward to hearing all about yours.

Whether you are looking to expand a business, thinking about retirement or are planning for the future, NB|AZ® is here to help guide you.

Where your dreams are more valuable than your dollars.

To speak with a banker, call 800.497.8168

NBAZ.COM | A division of ZB, N.A. Member FDIC

in this issue

A stableman packs up for the day as the sun sets on MTM Ranch Horseback Adventures in Cave Creek.

DEPARTMENTS 02 @NB|AZ What’s happening at National Bank of Arizona

04 AZ WORKS ‘X’-traordinary Women entrepreneurs have amazing impact on the economy

06 FOOD & DRINK Entrepreneurial Spirit Innovative purveyor mixes things up to craft the ultimate cocktail

08 ARTS & CULTURE Second Act Theater in the desert embraces new leadership, new vision

FEATURES

16 By Air, By Land, By Water

Experience the beauty and wonder of Arizona with an adventure trifecta

10 TRAILBLAZERS Pitching In Grassroots project ensures college students have enough to eat

22 A County Called “The Peace”

12 AZ NONPROFIT Birds of a Feather

28 Old West Meets New Economy

32 EXPERIENCE AZ

Tracing the development of growth of La Paz County

In the 21st century, some of the state’s most iconic businesses continue to thrive

PUBLISHER National Bank of Arizona EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jenavi Kasper, jenavi.kasper@nbarizona.com PROJECT EDITOR Michelle Hamel, michelle.hamel@nbarizona.com MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER Ali Adib, ali.adib@nbarizona.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Michelle Jacoby, michelle@pb-jcreative.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nathan Joseph, nathan@responsecreative.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Chris Adams, cwadams@me.com CONTRIBUTORS Sally J. Clasen, Julia De Simone, Bruce Farr, Leigh Farr, Debra Gelbart, Jake Poinier, Susie Steckner PHOTOGRAPHER Mark Lipczynski, mark@marklipczynski.com

Elevate AZ magazine may contain trademarks or trade names owned by parties who are not affiliated with National Bank of Arizona, Zions Bancorporation, or its affiliates. Use of such marks does not imply any sponsorship by or affiliation with third parties, and National Bank of Arizona does not claim any ownership of or make representations about products and services offered under or associated with such marks. Articles are offered for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, financial or business advice. Please contact a professional about your specific needs and advice. © 2018 ZB, N.A. All rights reserved.

A division of ZB, N.A. Member FDIC

NATIONAL BANK OF ARIZONA® Corporate Center 6001 N. 24th St. Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-235-6000

PB+J CREATIVE content + photography + design 602-821-9164 pb-jcreative.com

Liberty Wildlife gives injured animals a new lease on life

A moment in Kingman

ON THE COVER Arizona offers some of the most versatile and stunning landscapes, perfect for creating an experience of a lifetime. Find out more in “By Air, By Land, By Water” on page 16.

Photo by Mark Lipczynski

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Picture Perfect Mesa-based photographer trades corporate desk for camera lens

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VAN MARTINEZ never believed his passion could yield a career, even after he lost his corporate job of 20 years. A life coach, however, helped him see the light.

“She said, ‘You keep talking about photography.

Why not make that a career? You’re good. You can do this!’” he says.

After selling his first photo—a trio of crooked mailboxes shot in Santa Fe, New Mexico—the deal was cemented. Today his Mesa-based business, Ivan Martinez Photography, has boasted such clients as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, CMC Steel, and Southwest Airlines. Two of his pieces—“The Wave,” a well-known photo of the sandstone rock formation in Arizona, and “Moonrise in Sedona,” an image of the “moon and the warmth of the sunset heating the rocks”—are on display at NB|AZ’s Corporate Center in Phoenix.

“Getting laid off… I would consider it a blessing in disguise,” says the 56-year old. “It’s funny how life plays; it was meant to be.”

Born and raised in Venezuela, Martinez first became enamored with his craft in high school. But, family members didn’t exactly consider it a career.

Instead, he says they viewed it more as a hobby or “something to do when you retired.” After receiving a college scholarship in the United States, Martinez

Ivan Martinez, a photographer and adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University, is known for his beautiful images of the desert Southwest, including “The Wave” (above) and “Moonrise in Sedona” (top right).

studied marketing, but never strayed from his first love.

“Every [college] elective I could take was a photography class,” he says.

Today, he shares those experiences with his own students as an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University. He speaks of the triumphs and tribulations in the field, including when he was asked to shoot photos for the college newspaper. The first job was a success, while the second was the opposite. Martinez says he was asked to shoot photos and obtain the correct spelling of the names of those photographed.

Since he was preoccupied with his English not being up to par, he messed up the shutter speed.

“I never got another assignment,” he says. “I put it on myself that I wasn’t good enough until later.”

But Martinez has come a long way since then, focusing on excellent customer service skills with a twist. “Always keep in mind what the client wants the photograph to convey. Do what is asked, but provide something unique,” he says. “What I strive for is to find a way to build some of your own soul in the photos— that’s the ideal world.” Julia De Simone

PEOPLE

Meet the Banker: Greg Cross GREG CROSS IS the vice president, manager of Zions Bank Corporate Trust in Phoenix, where he directs the marketing and servicing of Corporate Trust business, and oversees the development of the Phoenix office and Arizona accounts.

But his most important role, he says, remains family man to Cynthia, his wife of 38 years, five children and seven grandchildren. “You know you’re getting old when you spend all of your vacation time with your grandkids,” Cross laughs.

Where is your hometown?

I was born in Long Beach, California, but I’ve been in Arizona the longest. So I’d call Arizona my hometown.

What was your first job?

Probably shoveling snow from walkways in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Always do what’s right, and you’ll never go wrong.

What has been your greatest accomplishment in your role with NB|AZ? My greatest accomplishment so far is the opening and development of a new office to be a successful, profitable unit of the bank and being able to hire good

people to help support and work with me.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working with people. I really enjoy it— working with both my customers and my staff.

How do you give back to the community?

I’ve always played a big role with the Boy Scouts of America. Right now, I work with a nonprofit organization that helps victims of domestic violence. I also bring my Golden Retriever, a certified therapy dog, on regular visits to a shelter for battered children recovering from abuse.

Do you have a unique client story?

They are all unique. I always like to give back to my clients, work with them and

learn as much as I can about them.

One of the biggest examples is working with the branch manager in Parker with the Native American community. We met with them and now have digitized everything, so they don’t have to come in and pick up their checks.

What one thing would people be surprised to find out about you?

One thing people would be surprised to find about me is that I’ve been an athlete and loved to play team sports. interview by julia De Simone

COMMUNITY

NB|AZ Recognizes Volunteer of the Quarter

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! VISIT NB|AZ on your favorite social media channels, where you’ll learn more about the people and places that make Arizona a great place to live, work and dream.

Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram, to get these amazing stories delivered straight to your newsfeed.

FACEBOOK

@NationalBankofArizona INSTAGRAM

@nbazinteractive TWITTER

@NBAZInteractive

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

EACH QUARTER at National Bank of Arizona, one associate is selected as the Volunteer of the Quarter. These associates are selected, largely, based on number of hours volunteered within the given quarter. For Q4 2017, NB|AZ selected Technical Service Officer Kimber Berlat.

With nearly 300 volunteer hours for the year—around 75 hours in Q4 alone—Berlat donates a majority of her time to the Southwest Speech and Debate Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating high-quality, competitive and dedicated educational opportunities for students. Active in speech and debate since she was 14, Berlat has been a member of the Southwest Speech and Debate Institute since 2010 and currently serves on the board. She helps coordinate events, and works directly with middle school and high school students.

“I really do love it,” Berlat says. “Speech and debate has given me so much, [and has] really helped build my confidence on top of instilling in all of us the value in giving back to the community.”

Each NB|AZ Volunteer of the Quarter is awarded a $250 donation made in their name to a group of their choice. Berlat has chosen the Arizona Speech and Debate Coaches Association.

CONNECT

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N

ATIONAL BANK OF ARIZONA has long been a leader in supporting, mentoring, guiding and promoting women business owners. So it’s no surprise that NB|AZ has been a partner of Empowered PhXX, a community collaboration focused on unlocking the enormous economic potential of Arizona’s women business owners.

NB|AZ also is a force behind a new event focused on women entrepreneurs: four weeks in the fall dedicated to women entrepreneurs’ ability to make money, spend it wisely and secure it in the form of investment dollars or loans.

Money Month powered by National Bank of Arizona was held in September 2017. The centerpiece of that inaugural event was an NB|AZ-funded survey of women business owners, conducted to learn about the challenges and expectations connected to operating a company.

about their businesses were misguided,” Sims points out.

The report that emerged from the survey, “A New Vision for Phoenix Entrepreneurship: Recommendations to Maximize the Economic Impact of Women-Owned Businesses,” identifies some significant myths attached to women business owners, including: • Women only have “hobby” businesses. For more than two-thirds of respondents, their business was their principal source of personal income.

• Women don’t want to grow their businesses. More than 80 percent of respondents intend to grow their businesses in the coming year, with nearly 40 percent intending to grow rapidly.

• Women business owners need to be more confident to be successful. In fact, 84 percent of respondents were very or somewhat confident in their understanding of their business

Women entrepreneurs have amazing impact on the economy

‘X’-traordinary Last year’s Money Month was so successful that plans already are underway for the second annual event this year, called Money Month 2.0. The chair of the 2018 event is Stephanie Sims, founder of Scottsdale-based Finance-Ability, an Empowered PhXX partner that provides business owners with the knowledge, tools and self-awareness they need to find the funding that’s right for them.

“The survey we conducted last year focused on cataloging the needs of women business owners,” Sims says. “In 2018, we’ll emphasize education and real-world learning opportunities, and development of personal action plans for two critical issues identified in the survey: financial management and raising capital.”

In September 2017, Empowered PhXX, in partnership with NB|AZ, conducted a survey targeting Arizona women business owners. The survey sprang from “a variety of conversations and townhalls with stakeholders since 2015,” Sims says. “We often heard conflicting statements about who local women business owners were, as well as what their intentions and needs were. After investigating available data sources, we discovered that there was no data specifically about Arizona women business owners.”

With the assistance of Dr. Melissa Kovacs of data analysis firm First Eval, the survey was developed “to better understand our community and their needs,” Sims explains.

The creators of the survey were hoping for about 100 responses, but they received 310 completed surveys from women in a variety of industries.

“Combined with data from town hall meetings and in-depth interviews, these responses revealed that many assumptions

financials, and only 12 percent of respondents considered “confidence in my ability to manage my business” as one of their biggest challenges.

• There aren’t many “successful” women businesses here, with “success” being defined either by time in business or by annual revenues. Among the respondents, 51 percent have been in business for five years or more, and 6.25 percent are earning $1 million or more in annual revenues.

Based on the survey responses, the report also includes recommendations and calls-to-action for all community stakeholders, including policy makers, economic development leaders, lenders and investors, entrepreneurial support organizations and business owners.

These recommendations fall into two categories, Sims said: 1) shift perceptions about economic success and understand how diversity among business owners, types of businesses and stages of business growth contribute to it; and 2) focus entrepreneurial programs on effective businessbuilding strategies and measurable outcomes.

The calls-to-action give specific ways that each stakeholder can effect change within their sphere of influence, so that everyone can take action in a way that leverages their strengths and existing resources, says Sims.

“If women were equally represented in entrepreneurship— 50/50—an additional 91,000 jobs and $105 billion could be added to our local economy,” she continues. “Empowered PhXX’s mission is to improve every stakeholder’s ability to effectively support the growth of all women-owned organizations, to ensure we’re unleashing as much of that economic benefit as possible.” Debra Gelbart

“ If women were equally represented in entrepreneurship, an additional 91,000 jobs and $105 billion could be added to our local economy.�

Stephanie Sims Founder of Finance-Ability, an Empowered PhXX partner

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

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Innovative purveyor mixes things up to craft the ultimate cocktail

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AYLEE NEDLEY AND MATT FARROW can truly say the idea for their business started over drinks at a neighborhood bar.

“When Matt and I first started dating, we always talked about having our own bar,” says Nedley, a former restaurant server. “We’d hang out at the local dive bars and talk about how, if we got $50,000, we’d design this bar right now, ready, set, go. And we’d draft these ideas on pieces of paper and dream really, really big.”

In 2015, after three years of envisioning their goal, the couple launched Iconic Cocktail Co. by catering community events where they served hand-crafted cocktails using Farrow’s experience as a bartender and his original recipes for mixers.

The first event was so successful, the duo decided to bottle and sell their all-natural mixers.

With positive feedback pouring in from their customers, Farrow and Nedley took their

business to the next level. They set up shop in a commercial shared kitchen to brew and bottle their mixers in small batches. With a $2,000 loan from Farrow’s parents, they secured a license, launched a website, and began selling at farmers markets and community events. By the spring of 2016, the couple was ready to bottle and sell their creations.

With such flavors as Lime Leaf Tonic, Spiced Honey, Ginga Syrup and Meyer Lemon Balm, Iconic’s mixers are flavorful syrups designed for creating a cocktail, boosting the flavor of coffees or teas, or sweetening baked goods.

“Mixers are known as simple syrups, which are a one-to-one ratio of 100-percent natural cane sugar and water. I like to call ours ‘elevated simple syrups’ because they have a flavorful, robust concentrate,” Nedley says.

“On every bottle and on our website, you’ll

entrepreneurial spirit

Leigh Farr

Iconic Cocktail Co. owners Matt Farrow and Kaylee Nedley (below) create unique cocktail mixers made with ingredients from local farmers and purveyors.

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

see our simple method for making a cocktail which is 2 ounces of spirit, 1 ounce of our mixer and then a half ounce of tart, meaning lemon lime, or grapefruit juice.”

Nedley remembers the excitement and trepidation she and Farrow experienced when they introduced Iconic’s mixers to the public for the first time.

“We just celebrated two years of selling mixers to the public and I remember our first event at Phoenix Flea,” she recalls.

“Matt and I just stood and looked at each other right before it opened and we were like, ‘Is anyone going to like this? Is anyone going to enjoy this at all?’ Then we blinked and ended up not talking to each other for the next four hours. We were just talking to customers and that was how it all got started.”

From that point on, the business took off and continues to grow at a rapid pace.

“We were very proud to start small with what we could do,” says Nedley, who was able to leave her job as a restaurant server. “We both had full-time jobs when we first started.”

The duo continued selling Saturdays at Phoenix Flea and made numerous appearances at local farmers markets. They also reached out to small retailers in the area and scheduled pop-up tastings to serve cocktails with their specialty syrups.

“We really hit the pavement running because we knew that’s what we had to do,” Nedley says, adding that fusing locallysourced ingredients into their mixers is a key component of their business.

“One of our side missions is to support local, so we pride ourselves on sourcing an ingredient locally any time that we can. I think there is a finesse to having an artisan product and being able to keep it artisan and keep it local and keep it fresh.”

The company’s current seasonal mixer is Grapefruit Fleur de Sel. Nedley and Farrow source organic grapefruits from McClendon’s Select Farm in Peoria and French sea salt from See Salt, a Phoenixbased company that hand-harvests salt off the coast of France.

For their coffee mixer, the Salted Cocoa Nib, they partner with Zak’s Chocolate in Scottsdale and also use cascara vanilla from Blue House Coffee, a purveyor of specialty hot drip and cold brew drinks started in Flagstaff.

“We’re very proud to be made in Arizona and we are keeping it all local to help our community grow,” Nedley says.

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Second Act

Theater in the desert embraces new leadership, new vision

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RIZONA THEATRE COMPANY’S 52nd season marks an exciting change of direction for the state’s pre-eminent professional theater. Under the leadership of newly appointed Artistic Director David Ivers, the company’s rich tapestry of world drama will expand to include productions reflecting Arizona’s diverse and inclusive culture.

In the 2018/2019 season, Ivers looks forward to bringing audiences his first full season lineup, marking the start of a new half century of theatrical excellence.

“The most immediate goals are to help stabilize the financial picture for the theater, to have vision and virtuosity drive our goals in terms of the product onstage, and to find ways to really engage with the communities we serve so that they see themselves reflected in the work that we do on our stages and in our communications,” says Ivers.

Since its inception in Tucson in 1967, ATC has produced more than 200 plays on its stages, from the classical offerings of Shakespeare, Shaw, and Moliere to the works of contemporary playwrights such as Shepard, Stoppard, and Fugard. Dubbed Arizona Civic Theatre by founder Sandy Rosenthal, the playhouse launched its first productions in Phoenix in 1978, making it the only resident company in the United States that is fully based in two cities.

Now, more than 130,000 people attend ATC productions each year at

the Temple of Music and Art in Tucson and at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix.

In keeping with ATC’s mission to discover and foster new voices, Ivers is committed to producing plays and musicals that highlight Arizona’s rich cultural heritage and cultures from around the world.

Having served as artistic director at the Utah Shakespeare Festival for seven years—and having acted in and directed more than 50 productions with the company for 20 years—Ivers is thrilled to bring his artistic talents and vision to ATC. “I’m excited to be living here and I’m really excited about the organization’s potential,” he says. “It feels to me like we’re getting a lot of support. The word is starting to get out about the new vision and I am very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.”

ATC’s 2018/2019 season’s overarching theme, “Scene in America,” reflects Ivers’ vision for a theater experience that raises the curtain on diversity, embracing titles by Latino, African-American and women playwrights.

“We have representation from everything that makes us uniquely and wonderfully American. And that’s sort of the theme that ended up emerging, the kaleidoscope of the American experience, what we actually look like as a community and as a nation,” says Ivers.

Highlights of the upcoming season include Karen Zacarias’ new comedy, “Native Gardens,” offering a fresh, comedic approach to what it means to pursue the American Dream. “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End” will bring audiences a celebration of a pioneering woman. She was a longtime Arizona resident known for her cutting-edge humor and ability to reveal the truth about life as a woman in America. And Ivers will lend his directing talents to “The Music Man,” a beloved classic that will feature nationally-known artists.

ATC’s upcoming season also will include exciting new programs to engage audiences across Arizona, putting the community center stage.

“We’ve got to be deeply connected to how we serve the community and we have a whole bunch of initiatives we’re about to roll out that will do that,” says Ivers. “I’m committed to community engagement as one of the leaders of the organization, so it has to permeate through everything we do.”

Currently, the theater has a committee dedicated to community outreach and plans are underway to hire a full-time director of community engagement. Highlights of this year’s program include Summer on Stage for Arizona high school students, as well as the new Arizona Artist Initiative featuring pop-up collaborations with local institutions. Members of the community will have more opportunities than ever to engage with the theater through talkbacks, look-behind-thescenes programs and conversations with Ivers. Leigh Farr

“ We’ve got to be deeply connected to how we serve the community.

It has to permeate through everything we do.”

David Ivers Artistic Director, Arizona Theatre Company

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

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PITCHING IN

Becky Bender, founder of Pitchfork Pantry (left), and student volunteer Annika Laufer, show off some of the items available at the food pantry at the downtown Phoenix campus.

Grassroots project ensures college students have enough to eat

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“A lot of students don’t realize they are in a food insecure situation because it’s so culturally accepted that students go without food.”

were more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

Pitchfork Pantry opened at the urging of then-student Stephanie Kauffman, who saw first-hand how food insecurity impacted the campus. A friend who worked and carried a full school load struggled to afford enough food to eat and eventually dropped out.

After a rocky start, Pitchfork Pantry is now open Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays in Tempe at Sonora Center residence hall, and Tuesdays and Thursdays in downtown Phoenix at Taylor Place residence hall. Students must show an ID and can take up to five items. Right now, pantry shelves are filled with nonperishable food such as peanut butter, tuna, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Student leaders would eventually like to include fresh food.

The pantry also offers hygiene items such as shampoo and deodorant. When the occasional baby food or formula is donated, students with families snap it up. Some students need food for a particular week. Others may come every day, using the pantry as a de facto meal plan.

“We’ve had students who definitely weren’t sure where their next meal was going to be,” Bender says.

But the pantry offers more than free food. The goal is to connect students with other ASU resources, such as financial aid or health services, to get to the root of their problems.

Before Bender was involved in the pantry, she had a friend who typically ran out of food money at the end of the week. He applied for more scholarships, which gave him the extra financial support he needed.

“We want to find out what is going on,” Bender says.

“ASU really does care about their students.”

Pitchfork Pantry relies on grants, financial donations and food drives from the community to keep the shelves stocked at the two locations. ASU sports teams, clubs and academic departments frequently support the pantries with food drives, and some professors even offer extra credit opportunities for students who drop off canned goods. Susie Steckner

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

T MIGHT BE AN UPPERCLASSMAN working a couple of jobs. Or a freshman piecing together scholarship money.

Or a young married student balancing school, family and finances.

No matter their circumstances, they all face a similar struggle: Having enough affordable and nutritious food each day.

Food insecurity—the lack of consistent access to adequate foods—is a problem facing students on college and university campuses across the country. In fact, as many as one in three students experience food insecurity.

Arizona State University is no different. The student-led response is Pitchfork Pantry, which offers free nonperishable food to those in need at both the Tempe and downtown Phoenix campuses.

“I think a lot of students don’t realize they are in a food insecure situation because it’s so culturally accepted that students go Becky Bender without food, or eat Executive Director, Pitchfork Pantry pizza or Top Ramen,” says Becky Bender, a nutrition student at ASU and executive director of the downtown Phoenix Pitchfork Pantry. “But that shouldn’t be the case. If the students don’t get the nutrients they need, that can impact how well they do at school.”

A 2015 study from ASU bears that out. Researchers from both ASU and the University of Minnesota studied college freshmen living in dormitories at a large, diverse public university in the southwest United States, according to the American Public Health Association. They looked at the link between food insecurity, mental health, personal eating behaviors and perceptions of the campus-eating environment. Among the findings: » 34 percent of the students reported food insecurity during a 30-day period » 35 percent reported food insecurity during a 90-day period What’s more, when students skipped breakfast and home-cooked meals—opting instead for fast food—they

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birds of a feather Liberty Wildlife gives injured animals a new lease on life

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OU WON’T FIND ANY lions, tigers or bears at Liberty Wildlife, but you will encounter many birds of a feather and other desert animals at the wildlife rehabilitation, conservation and educational facility in Phoenix. Started by veterinarian Kathleen Orr in her Scottsdale back yard, Liberty Wildlife has been rescuing and rehabilitating birds including bald eagles, white horned owls, kestrels, and other indigenous animals and reptiles since 1981.

In 2017, the nonprofit moved to a state-of-the-art facility on 6.5 acres at 26th Street and Elwood in Phoenix, along the Salt River. It houses a triage hospital and surgical suite, outdoor amphitheater, children’s interactive room, butterfly and hummingbird garden, gift shop, conference space, and educational trail and aviary where visitors can view birds of prey.

While Liberty Wildlife is an environmentally conscious organization dedicated to protecting the natural world, its

facility and surroundings are equally sustainable. The Platinum LEED-certified property is powered by nearly 87 percent solar energy and has three biomes—upper Sonoran Desert, riparian and wetlands.

In 1981, 87 animals were treated through Liberty Wildlife with a staff of one. Today, five full-time employees and between 350 to 500 trained medical rescue and transport volunteers help process and rehab more than 6,500 injured animals a year, according to executive director Megan Mosby, who says the organization is the “best kept secret in town.”

Though Liberty Wildlife’s focus is nurturing the native wildlife of Arizona, it rarely turns an animal—or a concerned citizen—away.

“If someone cares enough to drive across town with an injured animal of any kind, we’re not going to turn them away.

Why would you kill that compassion? All animals suffer in the same way,” Mosby says.

Today, five full-time employees and between 350 to 500 trained medical rescue and transport volunteers help process and rehab more than 6,500 injured animals a year.

Liberty Wildlife sits on 6.5 acres of land along the Salt River in Phoenix, where it rehabs more than 6,500 injured animals a year. “It’s the best-kept secret in town,” say executive director Megan Mosby (bottom).

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

Such was the case when a worried landscaper recently brought in a coyote he found injured on a busy street in Scottsdale, apparently hit by a car.

“All he wanted was to make sure the coyote was going to be OK—and that we call his boss to account for his whereabouts,” adds Mosby.

Most animals get rehabilitated and then released to their natural habitats. But some—like Sonora, a bald eagle attacked by bees—who are non-releasable because of physical or mental factors that make it impossible for them to survive in the wild, are transitioned into Liberty Wildlife’s educational programs. Others serve as “foster parents” in the orphan care program, where cavity dwellers like hummingbirds, woodpeckers and cactus wrens are nursed back to health.

Even when the rehabilitation center can’t handle a case, a well-orchestrated flurry of activity ensues to get an injured animal to the right place, such as the pelican who was rescued from a pool in Ft. Huachuca and eventually made its way to SeaWorld San Diego via Liberty Wildlife and a welloiled network of community assistance.

Liberty Wildlife gives injured animals a new lease on life, but it’s giving feathers a new purpose, too, through its noneagle feather repository (NEFR), a pilot program started in 2010 that provides Native Americans with a legal source of non-eagle feathers from federally regulated migratory birds.

“It’s a way for us to take a stab at the black market where feathers are sold illegally and also help save the culture of Native Americans,” explains Mosby.

Supported by donations and grants, the relocation and extra space is helping Liberty Wildlife expand its rehabilitation and educational programming. The facility also provides an opportunity to improve its fundraising reach in the second phase of its capital campaign through signature events. The organization’s annual Wishes for Wildlife event in October will now be held onsite, as well as a new craft food and beverage series, Sippin’ the Spirit of the Southwest, introduced last spring and that will resume in the fall. Sally J. Clasen

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treasured help NB|AZ Treasury Management offers array of products for businesses

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REASURY MANAGEMENT services at National Bank of Arizona can help businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations all over the state with local, personalized customer service and innovative financial management products.

“We offer products and services that optimize payables and receivables, improve cash flow and liquidity for our clients and prevent fraud,” says Laura Schaeffer, executive director of Treasury Management for NB|AZ. “At NB|AZ, the client experience is a top priority. With every interaction, we strive to make each client feel that they are our most important client.”

The NB|AZ Commercial Card product simplifies and streamlines the accounts payable process while allowing companies to earn an annual revenue share payment for every dollar spent.

“Our program automates the posting of expenses to the appropriate category,” Schaeffer says, “and provides robust controls, allowing companies to establish credit limits and usage restrictions on an individual cardholder basis.”

The Treasury Management team also offers Integrated Payables, a fully integrated invoice-to-pay solution that automates the accounts payable and payment process.

The Treasury Management team in Chandler.

“Clients can issue commercial card payments, ACH and check payments from a single location,” Schaeffer explains.

In addition, clients can experience the benefits of increased AP efficiency, reduced processing costs, greater control of outgoing cash flow, reduced payment risk and improved internal accounting controls, she says.

“This provides an active synchronization with your accounting software and allows you to save time by reducing manual payment entry and posting. You choose when and how to pay your vendors to maximize benefits back to your business. And you can reduce the risk of internal and external fraud through advanced security features.”

While Treasury Management payables solutions manage company outflows, Merchant Services from First Data Merchant Services LLC help businesses better manage receivables. Merchant Services allows businesses to accept credit cards or debit cards online or in person with state-ofthe-art technology solutions, at very competitive rates.

“One of our greatest strengths is that our Treasury Management sales and service team is local. This allows us to leverage our knowledge of the local business climate and work side-by-side with our clients to provide solutions to make their lives easier,” Schaffer says. Debra Gelbart

Accelerate RECEIVABLES Streamline PAYABLES Maximize CASH BALANCES

Your Treasury Management Specialist will work with you to understand your business, then offer you solutions to help manage your resources and cash more efficiently1,2. Our Arizona-based team of experienced treasury professionals is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction, readily available to assist you.

“NB|AZ makes it easy for us to do business with them. Their local, professional Treasury Management team responds to our questions promptly and completely. We always feel like a priority—we couldn’t be happier with the service we receive.”

BEN VIGLIETTA Assistant Controller Desert Mountain Club, Inc. For more information, call 888.241.5550 to speak with one of our Treasury Management Specialists.

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Experience the beauty and wonder of Arizona with an adventure trifecta

By Air,

By Land,

By Water STO RY JAKE POINIER

Mackenzie Wheatley / ChubbyFoot Photography

P H OTO G R A P H Y MARK LIPCZYNSKI

w h e t h e r y o u r bucket

list includes soaring 3,000 feet in the air in a hot-air balloon, riding a mile high on horseback on a legendary trail, or rafting the rapids a mile deep in the Grand Canyon, we’ve got just the adventure for you. The best news? These three journeys provide unique perspectives for those who want to experience Arizona’s most special destinations with a new view.

Good Altitude

I

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

N 1 9 8 4 , F I X E D -W I N G airplane pilot Pat Nilz saw some hot-air balloons flying and thought he should check it out. Just one lesson, and he was hooked.

“It was a lot more enjoyable, but probably took more skill to fly the balloon,” he says.

After getting his commercial pilot’s license and performing jobs flying overseas, at multiple Winter Olympics and for National Geographic and Discovery, he decided it was time to put together a balloon ride business in Tucson, Southern Arizona Balloon Excursions. Recently, Linz’s son Patrick earned his license and joined in on piloting tours, as well.

Depending on the number of passengers (up to 10), most tours are done in either a

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Rim Country Riding

Southern Arizona Balloon Excursions in the skies over Marana and Tucson.

P

Southern Arizona Balloon Excursions

220,000-cubic-foot or 77,000-cubic-foot balloon. A typical day starts early in the morning, watching the crew assemble the balloon before heading skyward at altitudes up to 3,000 feet.

One of the most popular routes is towards the Avra Valley, with views of wildlife, the Tucson Mountains, Mount Lemmon, and the whole mountain chain around the southern Arizona area—plus plenty of open area for a nice, safe landing after 45 minutes to an hour in the air. Afterwards, it’s time to enjoy pastries and a bit of celebratory champagne while chatting about the experience and receiving your first-flight certificate. Including time for the chase vehicle to take you back to your car, plan for a total time of three hours.

From bucket-list fulfillment to holiday gifts to special occasions, the reasons for taking a balloon excursion run the gamut.

“We do a lot of marriage proposals, and we’ve even had a few wedding ceremonies.

As long as I’ve been doing this, every time it’s special to see how romantic that can be,” says Nilz. “Everybody needs to enjoy the experience of hot-air balloon flight, because it frees the spirit and it’s good for the soul.”

AT T Y M O T L E Y G R E W U P on a ranch and always loved the country lifestyle. While she ran a horsedrawn carriage business in downtown Scottsdale from 1983 to 1993, the wilderness still called to her—spurred by a desire to have nights free and spend more time with her kids. The result was MTM Ranch Horseback Adventures, which runs tours in Cave Creek and the Tonto National Forest, and in Mogollon Rim country, east of Payson.

Up north, recent restoration projects have dramatically improved the 51-mile Highline Trail, making it an even more pleasant way to enjoy the serene forest, creeks, and canyons beneath the rim.

“Best of all, it’s just for horse riders, hikers, and bikers,” says Motley. “If you’re on an ATV, how many elk, deer, or California condors are you going to see? On a horse, you can walk right up to an elk.”

At three hours, the shortest tour starts at the eastern 260 trailhead, with fantastic views from under the rim, and descends into See Canyon not far from the MTM Ranch office

in Christopher Creek. The scenic section from the fish hatchery near Kohl’s Ranch to Horton Springs takes three-and-a-half hours, while the longest ride, at five hours, runs from See Canyon to Horton Springs.

No experience is required, but you need to be physically fit and 12 years or older to navigate the remote, often rugged terrain.

“The horses are very good at their job, you just need to lean back and enjoy it,” says Motley. “They have three feet on the ground at all times, so they absolutely can’t fall.”

In July, MTM Ranch also wrangles rides for the Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation’s Arizona Camp Sunrise and Sidekicks, which offer special programs for children who have or have had cancer, and their siblings.

“It’s a wonderful organization, fully funded by donations and fundraisers, so no child ever spends a dime,” says Motley.

Patty Motley, owner of MTM Ranch Horseback Adventures, leads horseback tours in Cave Creek and the Mogollon Rim.

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

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Arizona River Runners offers adventure tours along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

Run the River

f

“The Grand Canyon has some of the best rapids in the world, but it’s so much more than that,” says Dean Knuth, marketing director. “Side hikes can take you into slot canyons, Nankoweap Granaries, 100-foot waterfalls, and all these places that you can’t see from the South Rim.” The company provides drinks and snacks on the water, while the meals whipped up on land by the guides include omelets and pancakes for breakfast, deli spreads for lunch, and anything from salmon to cowboy steaks for dinner.

“We’re really proud of our food—you’re not going to be eating MREs or pork and beans,” says Knuth.

If you’re looking to raft this summer, it’s not too late. “It’s a misconception that you have to book two or three years in advance,” Knuth says. “If you’ve got dates and a certain trip in mind, we’d love to have you down on the river.”

Mackenzie Wheatley / ChubbyFoot Photography

O U N D E D I N 1 9 7 0 , Arizona River Runners has introduced countless adventurers to the wonders of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Bruce Winter and Bill Gloeckler, two of the early guides, bought the company in 1985 and continue to run it as a family business, with their kids heavily involved in the warehouse and office operations.

Arizona River Runners specializes in creating exactly the trip you want. The first decision is the type of boat: The 35-foot motor rafts seat 14 and allows you to see the Canyon in about a week, while the 18-foot oar-powered rafts seat four people with a guide doing the rowing and offer a slower pace.

Second, you need to choose the duration, with multiple options from three days (split between a working ranch experience on the North Rim and whitewater adventure) all the way to 15 days to cover well over 200 river miles. All trips offer side hike opportunities, but if you’re keen on doing more, the hiker’s specials will be just the ticket.

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22

S TO RY B R U C E FA R R PHOTOGRAPHY MARK LIPCZYNSKI

A County Called

‘ The Peace’ Tracing the development of g r ow t h o f L a Pa z C o u n t y

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

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of Arizona’s growth can be ascribed to any one factor, then the notion of “access to water” can probably claim top billing. As clichéd as it might sound, water is the lifeblood of the state—for its livelihood, its recreation, its very existence.

And Arizona’s La Paz County offers an excellent case in point.

I F T H E H I S T O RY

The Colorado River and Parker Dam (below right) draw 1.5 million visitors a year. Second only to agriculture, tourism helps drive the local economy and employment.

Set on the state’s southwestern border with California along the Colorado River, La Paz—which is Spanish for “The Peace”—happens to be Arizona’s second least-populous county. Its 2010 census disclosed that a mere 20,000 people inhabit roughly 4,500 square miles of rugged desert. Rich with scrub flora and cactus, La Paz’s vast, arid acreage drops down to the more verdant bottomland flanking the river.

With Parker, Arizona, as its county seat, the culture of La Paz is small-town America at its most strikingly diminutive. A drive through Parker (pop. circa 3,000) offers a view of western America that’s been depicted in countless movies and TV shows: the quintessential main drag, State Rte. 95 is a gently curving, roughly mile-long shot along a stretch of boulevard leading to the river. It’s dotted with chain motor hotels and river recreation outfitters, coffee shops and small cafes.

Somewhat inauspiciously, Parker came to life in 1871, when the U.S. government opened a post office on a well-trodden trail, largely to serve the Mohave and Chemehuevis—and later the Navajo and Hopi—tribespeople living on what is designated as the Colorado River Indian Tribe Reservation. In fact, Parker sits entirely within that reservation’s boundaries, and the tribal headquarters are in its downtown.

C h a n n e l i n g i r r i g at i o n

Thus began Parker’s (and the entire county’s) hardscrabble fight to survive—and, as with so many other Arizona communities, water was the key. Early farming of that dusty, crackedearth acreage required an intricate maze of irrigation channels, and any accurate record of Parker’s development illustrates that its first few decades involved some herculean efforts to bring water from the Colorado River to the otherwise parched landmass.

One key to Parker and La Paz County’s survival occurred in 1928, when the Parker Dam was completed. The dam ensured better water control of the river, and created a lake approximately 700 feet wide and 16 miles long

called Lake Moovalya, a Native American term that means “blue water.”

By 1936, more than 5,000 acres of river bottomland were under irrigation. And a few years later, when Headgate Rock Dam was constructed and water flowed more readily into the irrigation channels, the acreage being cultivated roughly doubled. By 1955, 38,000 acres had been cleared and irrigated for farming of alfalfa, desert durum wheat, cotton and onions.

Also significant, in 1937, a highway bridge was completed across the Colorado River connecting Arizona to California. (Previous access was only available by ferrying across the river.) Both of these man-made constructs changed the character of Parker, transforming it from a service center for agricultural and mining workers to one of providing supplies and services to tourists, fishermen, hunters and boat enthusiasts.

The river and its boundless activities draw 1.5 million visitors annually, a statistic that certainly augurs well for the future of the area.

The 17-mile-long stretch of the Colorado called the Parker Strip, for example, offers some of the nation’s best water for skiing, boating, jet skiing, wave-running, and swimming, as well as excellent fishing.

Off the water, a growing population of “desert rats” ply miles and miles of off-road trails dotted with old ore mines and ghost towns, and, in spring, beautiful displays of wildflowers.

For countless sightseers to the region, nothing beats the view from the top of Parker Dam, which, at 320 feet tall with 235 feet below the riverbed, happens to be the world’s deepest. For active hikers, a walk through Buckskin Mountain State Park walking trails or their native plant species area is always a popular pastime. Also available to explore are hundreds of miles of mountain-biking and road-cycling terrain.

River life

Overall, La Paz County’s economy is on the rise. job growth over the next 10 years is projected to be roughly 40 percent.

A g r o w t h ag e n da

With tourism so prominently in its sights, the Parker and La Paz planners are logically (and successfully) building a local economy around it. Vincent “Skip” Becker is the president and CEO of the La Paz Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which got its start in 2010, when a coalition of local and state agencies, businesses and organizations decided to pool their resources and expertise to help change La Paz County’s future.

“Tourism is the second major rung of our

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

Today, one of La Paz County’s chief areas of focus is on serving the growing needs of its tourists. The area offers residents and visitors a tremendous combination of water and desert recreational activities. But, with the Colorado River looming so close by, water recreation surely is king.

Dan and Donna Rountree, owners of Spanky’s RV and Marine, which caters to Parker’s watersport enthusiasts and visitors.

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“I absolutely enjoy living in Parker.

At this point in our lives, my wife and I have no intention of living anywhere other than here.

It’s a small town, but it’s the best.”

Dan Rountree, owner, Spanky’s RV & Marine

economic base,” Becker explains. “And it’s kind of two-fold. One facet is the Colorado River, which draws people year-round, and we get quite an influx of visitors here. Another big thing in the La Paz County area is off-roading.

We have the second largest off-road race in North America here, called the ‘Parker 425;’ one of the oldest and most prestigious in off-road racing. Each winter it draws thousands of people to the Parker area.”

A couple of notable recipients of the EDC’s economic/tourism focus are Dan and Donna Rountree, owners and operators of Spanky’s RV & Marine, located in downtown Parker.

Their business caters to the growing watersport crowd and their need for a local source for gear and equipment. When they opened in 2003, they were on a back street in town, and doing reasonably well, but the traffic in and out of their river-focused recreational business was understandably limited due to their location. Then, with Becker and the EDC’s help, the Rountrees learned that the town was purchasing space for retail on the main street, and seeking to sell it to retailers who were poised to bring income to the community.

“We fit that bill perfectly,” Dan Rountree says. “We built a brand-new building and moved onto the main drag. We moved in on May 23, 2016. I planned the construction and we built everything on schedule and within budget.

I don’t think anyone expected us to grow as much as we did over the last two years. Since we moved, our sales are up 55 percent from

Skip Becker, president and CEO of the La Paz Economic Development Corporation (right, in jacket) at Rose Acre Farms with complex manager Elias Hendricks and Melissa Newton, NB|AZ Parker branch manager. The Indiana-based egg producer opened the operation in La Paz County in 2016, bringing numerous jobs to the area.

where we were—and we had estimated they’d be at around 15 percent, so it’s a major gain for us.”

Overall, La Paz County’s economy is on the rise. In its last tally, the online site Sperling’s Best Places estimated that the unemployment rate in La Paz County was just under 7 percent, with job growth over the next 10 years projected to be roughly 40 percent. That projection is a strong sign that Becker and company are on the right path to achieving his goal of changing the local Parker—and, by extension, La Paz County—economic paradigm.

E g g - z a c t ly

Becker is quick to note that tourism isn’t the only means of improving La Paz County’s economic base. He emphasizes that one of the biggest wins for its economic health is their successful partnering with Rose Acre Farms.

In 2016, Rose Acre, the second-largest egg producer in the entire U.S., announced a major, phased expansion of its operations with a move into La Paz County. Rose Acre’s plans included its goal to become a 3-million-bird-layer farm, a pullet farm, a rail spur and a feed milling operation. The first phase of the project was undertaken at a cost of $80 million, and it added scores of jobs to the county’s rosters.

All in all, the economy and future for La Paz County are trending in the right direction, which, of course, makes living in the community an increasingly positive experience.

“I absolutely enjoy living in Parker,” says Dan Rountree. “At this point in our lives, my wife and I have no intention of living anywhere other than here. It’s a small town, but it’s the best.”

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Old West meets

NEW ECONO sto r y Bruce Farr

“The old gray mare, she ain’t what she used to be, many long years ago.”

What that popular old folk song reminds us is that times change—and with them so do traditions and livelihoods, even those that are deeply rooted in our native identity.

The lyric may, in fact, serve to sum up the current state of some of Arizona’s most formative, time-honored work traditions, those that have become symbolic of Arizona from its earliest frontier days: farming, horse breeding and cattle ranching.

What these iconic businesses may have, at one time, represented has evolved considerably over the years.

Not to say they’re any less important to the state’s economy.

p h oto g r ap h y Mark Lipczynski

Today, ranching and agriculture are Arizona’s second largest source of revenue, contributing more than $10 billion to the state’s economy. Agribusiness—the relatively new term for agriculture writ large and conducted on a commercial scale— has entered the lexicon full force over the past few decades.

That term has created a distinction of sorts from the larger operations and many of Arizona’s smaller farms and ranches, pushing the latter into new economic territory.

But, according to the Eller Economic and Business Research Center, the top five products for the state still follow its earlier traditions. First is vegetables and produce; second is milk from cows; third is livestock, cows and cattle; fourth, other crops and hay; and, last is nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod.

Bob McClendon, farmer and owner of McClendon’s Select, runs a certified organic produce farm on roughly 90 acres in Peoria and Goodyear.

In the 21st century, some of the state’s most iconic businesses continue to thrive

MY

The question remains: How have the smaller farmers and ranchers across the state weathered inevitable change?

What corrections have these practitioners of what we might call “old Arizona” businesses had to make to cope with the change and, more importantly, are they even coping?

Growing direct sales

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

As Arizona farmer Bob McClendon has learned, keeping up with the changing times can sometimes be a juggling act.

He and his family own and operate McClendon’s Select, a certified organic fruit and vegetable farm located on roughly 90 acres in Peoria and Goodyear. The Peoria branch of the farm features 2,000 citrus trees of several varieties, as well as Medjool dates and specialty herbs and vegetables.

In fact, three generations of McClendons grow nearly 150 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables, along with dates, honey and bee pollen. Following an age-old tradition of taking their produce to market, the family’s bounty is sold at farmers

markets in the Phoenix area, as well as to select restaurants throughout Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff and Sedona.

“I’ve been growing specialty produce all my life, having large gardens and focusing on what’s unusual and unique,” McClendon, a native of Tucson, says. He, his wife Marsha, their son Sean, and grandson Aidan all chip in to manage the farm and its many responsibilities.

“My son’s wife Kate handles the marketing,” McClendon adds, noting that he’s very proud of his family and the enterprise they’ve built—although it hasn’t been easy, he admits.

“It’s much more difficult to farm today than it was when we got started a couple of decades ago,” he explains. “For one thing, the weather is becoming a major issue—it gets much hotter here than it did. Every year, it seems like our summers are longer stretches of days over 105 degrees. And water has become a much more critical issue to us over the years.

These conditions especially present some major challenges.”

McClendon explains how farming has changed through

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the years, noting how, at present, there are two classes of agriculture in Arizona. “There’s what I call ‘big-ag,’ which includes the really big farmers who are farming thousands of acres, and then there’s a group of much smaller farmers who are emerging and catering to the local, organic movement.

I call them ‘boutique’ or ‘specialty’ farmers.”

Economically, McClendon says he’s seen some positive changes through the years. “The public demand for organic food is growing exponentially. For many years now, it’s been the fastest-growing segment of the food industry, and that demand has really helped our business expand into more markets.”

They key to his farm’s survival is in understanding how to market, McClendon explains. “We create our own markets.

We’re a direct seller. We sell our produce direct to the enduser, so that means that we wholesale almost nothing—or very little. Ninety-eight percent of our produce goes to 80 restaurants statewide, and we do three very large farmers markets every week during our season.

“We try to sell it direct to bypass that middleman, because when we put it into wholesale markets it can sometimes be unprofitable,” McClendon says. “If we’re going to remain financially viable, we need to be a direct seller—direct to the consumer, whether that be a restaurant or a family.”

Consumer attitudes and preferences inevitably shape the demand for his products, McClendon notes. “Local organic trumps organic, because all of the giant organic farming

Steeped in ‘old Arizona’ tradition Not many Arizona ranchers and farmers can claim a more authentic pedigree than Mel Potter. Located in Marana, northwest of Tucson, Potter Ranch occupies roughly 170 acres, on which Mel and his family have made something of a legend of themselves raising champion quarter horses.

Mel, his wife Wendy, and daughter Jo Lynn moved to Marana from the east edge of Tucson in 1973. Shortly thereafter, their youngest daughter Sherry was born and, as a family enterprise, the Potters began siring and raising rodeo stock that became famously in demand among star rodeo riders and ropers.

Not content to merely raise rodeo horses, the Potters themselves became active rodeo participants, as Mel proudly notes. “My whole family’s involved in the rodeo, especially my youngest daughter, Sherry Cervi, who’s a world champion barrel racer. She’s been to the national rodeo finals 18 times.”

In Potter Ranch’s heyday, the family kept 40 or 45 brood mares and three stallions. Today, they’ve scaled back to roughly 15 mares. Although the business has seen its challenges through the years, Mel says things are looking up.

“I can see over the years the ups and downs of the economy and how that’s affected our business,” he says. “But right now, I think it’s perked up some, especially in the last year and a half. We were in the doldrums, but all of a sudden things started happening.”

On their ranch in Marana, northwest of Tucson, Mel and Wendy Potter have been raising champion quarter horses for nearly 50 years.

companies have jumped on this bandwagon. You can buy produce and other products that say ‘organic’ in all the big supermarket chains. That wasn’t the case five years ago, even. So now, the public is really starting to focus on ‘local’ organic, which, by my definition, refers to products only grown and produced in the state of Arizona.”

No one knows better than Mel that the horse business is, as he calls it “a tough deal.”

“If we break even and end up with a few good horses ourselves, we think we did a good job,” he explains. “We’ve been very fortunate having the bloodline we have; it’s a pretty famous one for the rodeo world and we’re pretty

The Double Check Ranch in the lower San Pedro Valley is committed to raising, processing and marketing humane and sustainable beef.

darn lucky to have ended up with some of these horses that became famous in rodeos—people owning them and winning a lot of money with them.

“I think we do a lot better than many others in our line of work, but, still, I’m glad I don’t have to depend on it for a living.

We have other business interests that have supported this.”

Mel believes that the horse business mirrors the economy. “It’s almost like real estate,” he opines. “When things are booming, a lot of people want horses and buy them. And when it’s not a good, active economy, they’re a little harder to move. But like anything else, it’s always about quality. The quality horses seem to always bring good money. There’s always a good market for great horses, so, in that sense, we’ve been fortunate.”

From ranch to market

Summer 2018 | ElevateAZ.com

Paul Schwennesen has Arizona cattle ranching in his blood.

His great grandparents began ranching in the early 1900s, and his grandparents and parents followed suit.

In 1996, the family founded the Double Check Ranch in the lower San Pedro Valley, near the town of Dudleyville. With a second segment on the New Mexican border, just north of Clifton, altogether the ranch comprises roughly 12,000 acres, on which Schwennesen and his sons raise, process and market humane and sustainable beef.

“We’re really doing things in an old-fashioned way, the way it was done in my grandfather’s era,” he explains, “and it’s breaking from the more traditional mode of [meat processing] operations that really gained momentum from the 1950s onward. So what we’re doing is essentially breaking out of that mainstream agricultural production model and going back to an older one.”

Schwennesen says that one of the primary factors for the changes in their operation is economic. Several years ago, for

an article in a Tucson newspaper, he said, “In 1950, roughly 40 cents of every dollar went back to producers [farmers and ranchers] and today it’s less than 19 cents. That’s why so few people are in agriculture anymore.”

Things haven’t changed in that regard, he says. “I haven’t looked at the metrics for a while, but I would be very surprised if they’re markedly different. If anything, they’re probably slightly worse.”

Like the McClendons’ farm, Schwennesen says that selling direct to his customers and cutting out the middleman is the only way he’s managed to remain profitable.

“It’s a business model that’s worked for us,” he says. “We have nothing against what’s called production agriculture or middlemen, but if you’re a raw producer at the bottom rung, the only way to control your economic fate is to find a way out of that industrialized system and go directly to the customer.”

Things had been trending upwardly for Schwennesen since they kicked off their direct-sales model back in 2007, he says, but recently, he’s noticed that his business has plateaued.

“It’s a little concerning as a producer,” he says, “because a little bit of me thinks that the shine may be off the farmers market and local food trend. It might just be a blip, but time will tell.”

The ranch is in the middle of trying to mitigate a downturn in the local market phenomenon by emphasizing and bringing some of the business to the ranch, Schwennesen explains.

“We’ve spent the last 10 years essentially bringing the ranch to town, and we’re hoping to be able to diversify that by opening our ranch venue to the public for weddings, events and other things. We’re right on the San Pedro River, we’ve got a beautiful cottonwood tree corridor, and it’s an Audubon-recognized birding area. So we’re just beginning to dip our toes into that realm.”

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Kingman, AZ

A young roper shows off his skills at the Mohave County Fair in Kingman, one of the longest running fairs in the state. Held in September, this fall marks 72 years for this signature event, which celebrates the county’s rich history in agriculture and mining. Find out more about this historic and burgeoning city in the next issue of Elevate AZ.

PHOTO Mark Lipczynski

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