Emily Rockey

Emily Rockey is a master’s student in Environmental Sciences with a focus on soil and traditional agriculture in arid lands. Her interest in soil health and sustainable food systems is rooted in her family’s farming and food traditions. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2009, after which she gained hands-on experience working with organic farms, public gardens, and a commercial composting operation. In 2020, Emily embraced her role as a farmer at Mission Garden, an agricultural heritage museum that interprets traditional lifeways of the Santa Cruz River Valley. This experience provided her with valuable insight into the border region’s rich agricultural history and cultural diversity. It also sparked a deeper curiosity about how land management practices influence soil health, ultimately leading her to pursue an integrative graduate research project in collaboration with a diverse group of community partners.

Understanding the Effect of Indigenous Agriculture on Soil Health in the Southwest 

Key factors influencing agricultural soil health include farming practices such as crop rotation, management intensity, soil disturbance and erosion control, as well as inputs like water and fertilizer. Indigenous farmers have long employed distinctive soil management techniques, water conservation systems, place-based crops, and culturally rooted practices to promote long-term productivity and system resilience. This one-year study aims to compare soil health, fertility, and crop productivity between Indigenous agricultural systems and conventional modern methods. Using an integrative approach, the research will analyze a range of soil health parameters through laboratory testing. Additionally, firsthand tribal perspectives on soil health are considered in relation to soil test results. The collaborating research team includes numerous traditional farmers in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico who maintain traditional methods to promote fertile soils and support sustainable food production. Ongoing youth and community engagement can further knowledge sharing opportunities and capacity building, strengthen communities, and support the development of thriving future food systems.