AgTech Showcases Biosolid Reuse and Water Conservation at Somerton Farm Tour

AgTech, a family-owned agricultural operation in Yuma County, recently hosted elected officials and media to demonstrate the beneficial reuse of treated biosolids in large-scale farming. The event aimed to address public concerns by showcasing how the company utilizes wastewater byproducts to improve soil health and significantly reduce water consumption. This transparency initiative highlights the intersection of municipal waste management and sustainable AgTech practices within the Arizona and California agricultural corridors.

AgTech, founded in 1976 by Kenny Evans, operates a 6,000-acre farm in the Somerton area dedicated to growing animal feed crops such as Sudan grass, oats, and alfalfa. During a recent tour attended by Yuma County Supervisors Lynne Pancrazi and Jonathan Lines, the company detailed its process of receiving treated biosolids from municipalities in Arizona and California. Compliance and Operations Manager Daniel Jackson explained that these biosolids are nonhazardous end products of wastewater treatment plants, managed under the standards of the Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

To address environmental and community concerns, AgTech demonstrated its specific application techniques, which involve injecting treated biosolids directly below the soil surface rather than leaving them exposed. This method is designed to minimize odors and prevent the attraction of flies, supplemented by additional fly-control measures across the operation. The company emphasized that this practice is a regulated, nationwide standard used to enhance soil quality and support sustainable land management, backed by a long-term study from the University of Arizona and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirming its safety and effectiveness as a soil additive.

The integration of biosolids has yielded significant resource efficiencies for AgTech, most notably a 25 percent reduction in water consumption. Beyond water conservation, the practice is credited with improving soil drought resistance and reducing dust in the region. As a major employer in Yuma County with over 100 full-time workers between AgTech and its sister company, the operation serves as a critical link for municipal waste services in both Arizona and California, positioning the beneficial reuse of organic matter as a key component of modern, large-scale agricultural sustainability.