Arizona Cotton Growers Association honors lawmaker for service to agriculture industry

A state senator highlighted the need for more water conservation after being honored for his service to the agriculture industry by the Arizona Cotton Growers Association.

Last month, Sen. Tim Dunn received the 2026 J.S. Francis Jr. Distinguished Public Service Award.

“I continue to work for all the all the agricultural industry, but it was a great honor to be recognized by them [the Arizona Cotton Growers Association] for the all the work that I’ve done helping further our agriculture industry in the state of Arizona,” he said in an interview with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Yuma County.

Dunn, a Republican, is a lifelong Yuma-area farmer who uses his agricultural background to shape policies and educate other lawmakers at the Arizona Capitol.

The Arizona Cotton Growers Association honored him for his contributions to the state’s cotton industry through his legislative work to protect agricultural water rights, mitigate regulatory overreach and champion the rural communities that support the agricultural economy.

Dunn preaches water conservation to colleagues in agriculture

Dunn encourages his colleagues in agriculture to make every drop of water count, a practice he says is necessary to comply with groundwater regulations in the Ranegras Plain Active Management Area, which covers parts of Yuma and La Paz counties.

Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Ranegras as the state’s eighth AMA in January.

Roughly 70% of the state’s water supply is used for agriculture, and Arizona is set to lose about 30% of its Colorado River allocation starting next year.

Dunn said the state has been efficient with its water use but can always do better, especially with the cuts coming to the Central Arizona Project, or CAP, which delivers Colorado River water to central and southern Arizona.

“What we’re doing now to further that as we have the CAP cutbacks is important,” Dunn said.

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