Yuma is deeply tied to agriculture. In the winter we're known as the winter lettuce capital of the world, and about 90% of the country's lettuce comes from our backyard from November through April. Unlike other ag hubs, we don't stop in the hotter months. We grow watermelons, cattle feed, and wheat that's exported overseas, plus citrus.
We also helped save the Medjool date. In 1927, a palm disease nearly wiped it out in Morocco, and eleven offshoots were brought to the U.S. The survivors' descendants were planted in the Bard Valley in 1944, and today our growers produce most of the country's Medjools.
We're ahead of the game in water conservation and farming innovation, and a couple of local farms still open their gates to visitors, with some offering tours to show you how things are done here in Yuma.
History Under the Stars 2023
History under the stars dinner, set at the Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens. Each dinner will feature a different menu and focus on a different aspect of Yuma's rich history, from the story of E.F. Sanguinetti, the development of downtown, the history of irrigation and agriculture, and the history of the military's presence here. Get a taste of the history that makes Yuma unique.
Revel under the stars with a unique "History Under the Stars" dining experience at the Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens in historic Yuma. (It's the perfect gift idea, too!) Your evening will include a special presentation from the pages of Yuma's history books. Get a taste of the history that makes Yuma unique! Tickets are $70, and seating is limited, so purchase tickets today! For more information and tickets hit the button below or call 928-782-1841. See you at the museum!
Save the Date
Did you know that the Yuma and Bard area helped save the Middle East’s Medjool date palms? When disease broke out in Morocco in 1927, palm shoots were brought to this area and cultivated. Some years later, new trees grown here were repatriated to Morocco to help them replenish their date groves. Now local date growers are among the top producers worldwide, even exporting our dates to the Middle East. Each year, up to 15 million pounds of premium Yuma dates are grown, harvested, and then shipped around the world. More date info and recipes can be found at NaturalDelights.com. Dates and date products may be purchased at these local establishments:
--Imperial Date Gardensgift packs, nuts, candies, and date shakes, call about free tours at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays or by advance arrangements. 1517 York Road., Bard, Calif., ImperialDateGardens.com, 800.301.9349
--Martha’s Gardens Date Farm dates, local honey, sandwiches, soup, date shakes, and ice cream, pleasant landscaped patio for a bite, call about farm tours aboard a tram, $10 per person, call for reservations. 9747 Avenue 9 ¾ E, MarthasGardens.com, 928.726.8831
--Naked Dates Organic Medjools, date shakes, handmade soaps, date beer, and fresh eggs, call about walking tours. 13589 S. Avenue 25E, Wellton, HealthyNakedDates.com, 888.374.2037
