Tanya Hodges, a seasoned academic and agricultural professional, has taken the helm at the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), a hub for agricultural innovation and research. Her journey from building college academic programs in agriculture for the University of Arizona’s Yuma campus to leading YCEDA underscores her commitment to addressing challenges in arid agriculture.
The Yuma campus, where Hodges once worked, has seen significant growth over the past 16 years. From a modest beginning of three upper-division students and one major, it now boasts nearly 200 upper-division students and five or six different majors. The campus is shared by Arizona Western Community College and three of Arizona’s four-year colleges: the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. This collaboration provides Yuma residents with opportunities for higher education without having to relocate to Tucson, Tempe, or Flagstaff.
Hodges’ experience extends beyond academia. She has worked closely with major military installations in Yuma, including the Marine Corps Air Station and Yuma Proving Grounds, to improve workforce training efforts. Her diverse background has equipped her with a unique perspective, which she now brings to YCEDA.
YCEDA is a public-private partnership that fosters collaboration between private industry, the University of Arizona, and public agencies. As an investor-funded innovation center, YCEDA can swiftly address agricultural challenges. Hodges emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of agriculture, particularly when tackling grand challenges that require collective efforts. She notes that solving these challenges often involves teams of researchers, farmers, and government scientists working together.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the effectiveness of this collaborative approach. Testing protocols were quickly established, and a rapid response was mobilized to help communities avert disease outbreaks. This included setting up near real-time wastewater monitoring to inform public health officials of possible disease prevalence. Human and animal health studies continue under the “One Health” program to address current concerns.
Hodges’ passion for agriculture and education is evident in her work. She describes her current role as a perfect fit, given her experience in both industry and academia. One of the key challenges she addresses is translating the language and explanations of farmers for researchers to understand and address. This involves active listening and firsthand observation, which Hodges believes is crucial for effective problem-solving.
One of the notable projects Hodges has helped coordinate is the “Middle Mile Project.” This collaboration between Yuma County and Allo Communications aims to provide broadband connectivity across farms and rural areas. Funded by a $31 million grant, the project involves constructing “agnostic towers” that allow various companies to build out broadband connectivity. These towers will enable farmers to better use the communications technology on their tractors and make more efficient use of ag technology gadgets.
YCEDA is also working with the University of Arizona on a test and demonstration innovation site for ag tech companies. This site will allow companies to develop and test ag technology year-round, with access to third-party reviews from Land Grant colleges like the University of Arizona. The goal is to provide a platform for showcasing new technologies to farmers through field days.
While YCEDA has a Yuma-centric focus, its research and collaboration efforts extend into neighboring Imperial County, California, and beyond. The knowledge gained from these efforts aims to aid arid agriculture globally. With a focus on desert agriculture, YCEDA continues to develop ways to improve irrigation water efficiency and maintain agricultural sustainability in a region known for producing much of the nation’s winter vegetables.