Arizona Revealed: Yuma

The Colorado River frames — and feeds — the agricultural city of Yuma, a desert town on Arizona’s westernmost border. When winter’s frigid temperatures chill other regions of the country, Yuma’s crops blossom. In fact, the city is known as the “Winter Salad Bowl,” and it’s the leading producer of lettuce in the United States, growing everything from leafy greens, celery and broccoli to lemons, melons and dates. 

Nestled among all that expanse of fields and fruit orchards is a homegrown band of passionate individuals doing the hard but rewarding work of creating community. These folks love where they live and are proud to call Yuma home. This episode of “Arizona Revealed” introduces viewers to five of these locals.

Meet Tyler Woodman, owner of The Lemon Grove and a multi-generational farmer. At his roadside stand, not only does Woodman sell his own produce, but welcomes other local growers to share their bounty, turning The Lemon Grove into one of Yuma’s most beloved gathering spots. Also: The Grove’s Instagram account is a pure delight.

Say hello to Travis Krizay, co-owner of Cafecito, a coffee shop in the heart of Yuma’s historic downtown. Cafecito keeps things hyperlocal — Krizay and his wife host artisan markets in the café’s courtyard, serve locally roasted coffee and help Yuma families in need through the couple’s nonprofit, the Atticus Kindness Project, an organization founded in honor of their young son who passed away in 2018. 

Greet Kase and Misty Limmeroth, co-owners of Naked Dates and High Tanks Brewing in Wellton. The Limmeroths founded the date farm, which serves as an international supplier of USDA-Certified Organic Medjool Dates, and where the couple hosts farm events in the winter, including live music and dinners in the orchard. They also brew craft beers, serving them up on tap at the High Tanks Brewing taproom. 

Finally, get to know CJ Alberts. Alberts launched Yuma’s first independent bookstore, Sunny’s Book Truck—initially with a bookmobile in a yellow Japanese mini-truck and later with a more permanent brick-and-mortar home in downtown Yuma. Alberts runs the charming shop with help from dad Joe Alberts and “security” dog Maggie.