Committee backs $47.7M request to fund UArizona Yuma Center for Desert Agriculture and Cooperative Extension work
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Summary
SB 17-61 would appropriate $47.7 million to the University of Arizona for the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Cooperative Extension and Experiment Stations; agriculture groups strongly supported the funding and the committee gave the bill a do-pass recommendation, while members asked for further program details.
Senate Bill 17-61 would appropriate $47,700,000 from the state general fund across fiscal years 2027–2029 to the University of Arizona for a Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), Cooperative Extension and the Arizona Experiment Station.
Supporters including the Arizona Farm Bureau and Arizona Farm and Ranch Group emphasized the economic impact of Arizona agriculture—testimony cited a roughly $30 billion economic footprint—and said cooperative extension is essential for transferring research to producers and protecting crops from pests and disease. Sponsor said the request is a work in progress with university leadership and that detailed allocations will be considered during budget deliberations.
Committee members expressed general support but raised budgetary questions and asked the university to clarify how funds would be distributed across counties and experiment station sites. The committee gave SB 17-61 a due-pass recommendation.
