GrowPhx is excited to announce its campaign to bring a community mesquite bean mill and education program to the Valley. They launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise the $12,000 needed for purchase and renovations of the unit.  

Mesquite beans come from one of the most common trees in Arizona and have many health benefits. Mesquite flour, created from using the mill to grind the beans, is gluten-free, high in protein and is a low glycemic alternative for those with diabetes. The flour is also sweet and can be used as an alternative to sugar.

The money raised through the campaign will be used to cover the costs of:

• Purchasing the used hammermill.

• Repairs and upgrades the hammermill requires.

• Operating expenses and safety equipment.

• Education events and materials to teach safe harvesting and storage techniques to ensure success with mesquite flour.

 “Our new GrowPhx Community Mesquite Mill brings a new level of food independence to our Valley. One where we can harvest an unlimited resource hanging in trees and turn it into food that nurtures our soul and fills our belly,” says Greg Peterson, founder of The Urban Farm.

With the purchase of the mill, GrowPhx is looking to bring to the valley a native-tree-to-table experience that can go beyond mesquite beans. With enough community interest, the campaign would expand to other trees, such as carob beans.

“Mesquite is a whole food.  It was the staple of the native peoples of this land for centuries. I am passionate about this project and believe that our Indiegogo fundraising is critical to bringing many successful years of milling to the Valley” says Don Titmus, Founder of Bee Oasis.

The campaign features eight different donation levels ranging from $25 to $1,000. As part of any contribution they will receive a minimum of one pound complimentary milling of their beans at the first GrowPhx Community event in early summer 2019.  

To learn more about the campaign or to donate to the cause, visit:  https://igg.me/at/hammermill

About GrowPhx:

GrowPhx is a collaborative educational project launched five years ago by Kari Spencer of the Micro Farm Project and Greg Peterson of The Urban Farm.  Since its inception, GrowPhx has sponsored two garden summits and three permaculture design courses.  The company is now moving toward becoming a community based educational model that helps the Valley be more food secure.