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Arnott and Kathleen Duncan made the emotional decision to voluntarily shutdown their agri-entertainment activities because their operation is in an Accident Potential Zone of the U.S. Air Force.
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- September 11 Fallout Forces
Duncan’s Farm to Close Doors
- By Karen Gentry
Managing Editor
- A surprise consequence of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 has thrown Kathleen and Arnott Duncan’s agri-entertainment and farm marketing enterprise into a voluntary shutdown.
It turns out that Duncan Family Farms, 20 miles west of Phoenix, Ariz. in Goodyear has always been in an Accident Potential Zone for Luke Air Force Base. Since Sept. 11 jets with live munitions have been taking off over 90% of the time from the base’s southwest runway - the runway closest to the Duncan’s 40-acre farm.
Kathleen Duncan said that when they discovered they were in an accident zone, they questioned city officials of Goodyear. Although they were initially assured they weren’t in an Accident Potential Zone, a mid 1980s map showed that their property was indeed in the zone.
Although the chance of an Air Force accident is relatively small, any accident could be catastrophic, according to Air Force officials. An accident would put the nearly 30,000 students who come there each year in danger. According to Kathleen, there are sometimes more than 600 children on the premises at a given time.
Over the years, Goodyear had approved, permitted and encouraged the Duncan’s expanding operations.
“We believe it was an honest mistake but one the city should take responsibility for,” said Kathleen.
For more than 10 years Duncan Family Farm, named a “valley treasure” has attracted school groups, corporate parties, and visitors to its u-pick operation, farm market, bakery, and petting zoos. They completely renovated an old mining camp and now have eight to 10 pole barn structures and two certified kitchens. Their annual pumpkin festival, running three consecutive weekends, attracts thousands and now brings in $400,000 in revenues in six days of the festival, according to Kathleen. Their operation employs 10 tour guides and an educational coordinator. Ironically the Air Force base and the City of Goodyear have hosted events at Duncan Family Farms.
Although city officials initially planned to help relocate the recreational and educational portion of the Duncan enterprises, they changed their mind, likely because of the estimated $4-$5 million cost to move and recreate the Duncan’s attraction. A few months later, Goodyear officials told the Duncans they were free to resume all activities, even while the Air Force’s jets flew over with live bombs.
Kathleen said that City Manager Stephen Cleveland told her, “Zoning has nothing to do with safety.” Goodyear’s position did not sit well with the base commander of Luke Air Force Base who told the city they were surprised that any civil authority would find this kind of risk acceptable.
The Duncans started canceling events in March 2002 and made the painful decision to close all public activities. The Duncans held an emotional press conference announcing their decision to shut down.
“We have no idea where we go from here,” she said. The Duncans believe the city has the responsibility to help them because they issued all the permits, encouraged the development despite the fact their farm is in the accident zone.
“This has devastated our own farm and future,” Duncan said. It would probably cost less to rebuild their structures from scratch than to move, according to Kathleen. “If we move two miles, there’s no infrastructure. It’s just empty farmland,” she said.
Kathleen said Senator Bob Stump, their local congressman has taken an interest in their case. She said Stump is trying to work on having the Air Force purchase the land.
Although they are in total limbo, Kathleen remains hopeful that a solution can be worked out. City of Goodyear officials were slammed by the local media and several editorials were printed in Phoenix area newspapers in support of the Duncans. The city is currently looking at ways to help them.
The Duncans were able to hold their pumpkin festival this year as the Air Force agreed not to fly during the weekends of the festival.
The Duncans will continue to grow fruits and vegetables on approximately 2,000 acres of leased land. The only acreage in the accident zone is the 40 acres they own. They grow lettuces, broccoli, melons, organic carrots, red potatoes, watermelons and cantaloupe under the EverCrop label. They have 400 acres that are certified organic. Kathleen said their agri-entertainment and farm market ventures were becoming increasingly more important as they built up their enterprises.
Arnott Duncan is a fourth generation farmer from a family of traditional cotton growers.
The Duncans went out on their own 15 years ago and have since that time built up a community presence. Kathleen left her job as an educational consultant to work on the enterprises. They are also active in groups including the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association.
They are now well known for their educational and environmental programs and practices.
Before the controversy, Kathleen said they envisioned going into more direct marketing. “All the community activities were really taking off,” she said. They were getting ready to sell their produce under their own Duncan Family Farms label.
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