Success Stories

Marana Heritage River Park by Ora Mae Harn, Town of Marana

Several months ago the Town of Marana and the Community Food Bank entered into a contract to lease ten acres of farm ground in the Marana Heritage River Park.  The Community Food Bank is leasing the farm land to plant a Community Garden. Dana Helfer, MS, Food Production Manage of the Food Bank, wrote a grant and received funds to install an irrigation system, and the ground has since been prepared for planting.  The Town will supply the water for the project. 

Dana, her staff and volunteers hope to harvest the first crop early in January 2008.  The farm’s produce will be used to help supplement what is available at the food bank and sold at a Farmer’s Market in Tucson, as well as on the farm itself.  It is a win-win situation for booth the Town and the Food Bank. 

A burlap ribbon was cut on October 13th to mark the “Grand Opening” of the new Marana Farm.  The weather was perfect and the crowd was filled with children and elders who happily told stories of Marana’s past.  People of all ages planted the farm’s first seeds and took part in the magic that is created by planting a seed in the earth.  The Marana Heritage River Park has some three hundred acres of available land in the park.  Much of the land will be keep for open space and habitat for the many species of birds and wildlife in the area.  Twenty-five acres have a proposed plan including a museum, a railroad with a depot, pavilions, corrals for livestock, and antique farm and ranch equipment.

The park already has several facilities in use including the Heritage House, pole barn, horse corral and well house. 

The Town hopes to partner with other organizations to promote the heritage of our community and the many communities along the Santa Cruz Valley who have contributed to the existence of Marana.  We appreciate the support of the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance in our efforts to identify who we are and where we came from.

For more information about the Farm, visit the Community Food Bank.