Green Valley's Pecan Farming Roots Traced Back Decades

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Long before the expansive pecan tree farms that now define the landscape of Green Valley and Sahuarita, Arizona, the area was home to a diverse array of agricultural crops including cotton, alfalfa, sorghum, guayule, barley, and wheat. On April 14, a founder of the Santa Cruz Valley Historical Society will give a presentation exploring this little-known agricultural past as part of the organization's ongoing History All Around Us speaker series.

Why it matters

Understanding the region's agricultural history provides important context for how Green Valley and Sahuarita have evolved over time, transitioning from a diverse farming community to one dominated by the pecan industry. This history lesson offers locals a deeper appreciation for the area's roots and how the landscape has transformed.

The details

Prior to the rise of pecan farming, the fields and farmlands of Green Valley and Sahuarita were home to a wide variety of crops, including cotton, alfalfa, sorghum, guayule, barley, and wheat. This agricultural diversity has largely been replaced over the past several decades by the expansion of pecan orchards, which now cover vast swaths of the region.

• The presentation on Green Valley's agricultural history will take place on April 14, 2026.
• The Santa Cruz Valley Historical Society has an ongoing speaker series called 'History All Around Us'.

What’s next

The presentation on April 14 will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about the agricultural roots of Green Valley and Sahuarita before the rise of the pecan industry.