Amadio Ranch, A Destination Farm and City Center

Amadio Ranch, a community farm in the urban village of Laveen, just south of Downtown Phoenix, is as much a tourist destination as a local hangout. Eric and Christina Amadio established the ranch in 2010 because they wanted more acreage for their family and to give their children an appreciation for growing their food. The abundance of quality crops they were getting from their land led to giving neighbors produce, to a small stand, to a farmers market, to an entire working farm and gathering place. It didn’t take long for the Amadios to realize the full potential of their land; it became their mission to nurture it and let it thrive. And they say that the smiles they see when people visit make it all worthwhile.

Another reason to smile is the efforts that the farm makes in sustainability and conservation. There is no use of pesticides at the ranch, and they proudly practice organic farming. Moreover, the rich soils offer the plants many nutrients and minerals for healthy growth, only lacking nitrogen, which they get from farm animals’ manure. Goats, cows, llamas, and chickens are among the animals you can visit and feed as part of the farm experience.

Furthermore, they use flood irrigation at the Ranch as their method of watering, which also replenishes groundwater and helps to rid soils of dissolved salts that plants do not absorb.

What’s Growing at the Farm?

Many fruits and vegetables are grown and harvested on the farm at different times of the year. Peaches, sweet corn, and tomatoes are some of the best-growing crops, but depending on the month, you will find just about any produce. During winter, you can enjoy broccoli, carrots, lettuce, and cauliflower, whereas summer brings watermelon, cantaloupe, zucchini, and squash. Visitors can purchase fresh bounty at Amadio Ranch seven days a week or at several weekly farmers’ markets in the valley.

During a visit to the ranch, you are welcome to roam amongst the crops and orchards with your coffee or smoothie for as long as they are open. The farm stand has packaged produce ready for customers to purchase, along with their homemade pies, fudge, ice cream, and raw honey. Kiosks are available next to the stand for easy checkout.

Peach Pit Bistro

The Peach Pit Bistro serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is an outside venue overlooking the farm. The comfort food on the menu will remind you of home. Some breakfast options include pancakes, burritos, biscuits, and gravy. Lunch and dinner include items like sandwiches, burgers, and chicken wings. Additionally, there are plenty of appetizers, like cheese curds, sweet corn nuggets, and fried pickles. And again, the kiosks make it easy to order and make payment.

Even further, most weekends, the ranch brings food trucks to provide additional scrumptious options like tacos, Frybread, and paninis. Casual outdoor seating is available, but feel free to bring a blanket and plop down for a lazy afternoon picnic. Amadio encourages the community to come and use the farm as if it were their city center; settle in, read a book, or make it your meditation spot.

At any given time, you’ll see children running about the farm having fun looking at the animals, couples walking about the orchard, shoppers, and people enjoying a casual farm side lunch.

Farm Dinners and Events

Amadio Ranch hosts numerous events throughout the year, including scavenger hunts, singles nights, trick-or-treat nights, and Meet Santa. The Amadios have fun being a focal point in the community and are open to pretty much any kind of event — if they can make it happen, they will.

My personal favorite thing about the ranch is their farm dinners. These events are where they use the seasonal ingredients from their farm and other local farms to create a beautiful, unforgettable outdoor dinner in the peach orchard. The farm-to-table experience is family-style and usually includes a garden salad, an entrée that might be dishes like pasta, chicken, or steak, and a homemade dessert. The ambiance will vary depending on the time of year and the stages of bloom, but they always make the night special.

While Amadio Ranch is one of the smaller farms in the state, it is definitely one of the most generous with its use of its land. They originally bought it for their family, which still holds true; only every year their family expands, and they invite you to join them — with hopes the ranch will make you smile.