Arnott Duncan: Transforming Organic Farming to Win Grower of the Year

At the 2025 Organic Grower Summit held in Monterey, California, Arnott Duncan, the visionary founder of Duncan Family Farms, was honored with the prestigious Grower of the Year award. Sponsored by John Deere, this recognition celebrates Duncan’s extraordinary journey from a small agritourism operator to an innovative leader in organic farming, now overseeing a remarkable 3,850 acres across multiple states.

From Agritourism to Organic Leadership

Duncan’s foray into organic farming began unexpectedly in the 1990s. His family farm, which included a popular petting zoo attracting 30,000 children annually, became the backdrop for a revelation. Each day, Duncan and his wife, Kathleen, composted waste from their farming operations, unaware of the significant impact this would have on their future.

“I didn’t know it at the time, but it was compost,” Duncan recalled. When they began using this compost for their garden, the results were astounding. “The colors were vibrant and the texture was incredible. You couldn’t see more perfect growth, and the flavor and texture – everything was fantastic.”

This experience ignited Duncan’s passion for soil health and organic production, leading him to fully commit to organic farming by achieving certification in 1994.

Innovations in Composting

Today, Duncan Family Farms operates one of the most significant private composting facilities in the region, processing a staggering 25,000 tons annually from various sources including feedlot manure, retail food scraps, and municipal green waste. Their operations span Arizona, Oregon, and New York, focusing on organic leafy greens, microgreens, melons, herbs, and specialty vegetables.

“Duncan has built a reputation as an innovative leader who champions compost-based soil health,” said Matt Jungmann, senior director of events at Farm Progress. “His thoughtful approach to organic farming is frequently highlighted by his peers.”

Water Conservation and Agricultural Technology

As a pioneer in agricultural technology, Duncan has integrated automated, soil-based greenhouses developed with Agbotic, optimizing water usage to reduce consumption by 90 percent compared to traditional methods. The farm also employs cover cropping, reduced tillage practices, and laser weeding technology, resulting in organic matter levels that exceed local averages.

Commitment to Community Impact

Beyond advancing organic farming, Duncan Family Farms is heavily involved in community support, donating over 10,000 pounds of fresh organic produce weekly to food banks. They collaborate with schools to offer free organic salad programs and regularly host educational field days for aspiring farmers.

The farm serves major retailers, including Sprouts Farmers Market and Albertsons/Safeway, broadening access to wholesome organic produce.

The Organic Grower Summit, produced by Farm Progress, is a pivotal event bringing together organic growers and suppliers to explore the latest trends, techniques, and innovations in organic farming.

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