Medjool date harvest begins in Yuma

YUMA, AZ (AZFamily)—Yuma County produces millions of pounds of dates annually, making the area a $30 million industry.

Yuma date farmers are in the middle of the harvest season, which lasts about six weeks.

Yumi Dates has nearly 3,000 acres of date palms in Somerton, AZ and Bard, California.

They’re an organic farm and one of the only dates farms certified as a regenerative organic farm, a practice that emphasizes improving the health of the land and the community that farms it.

“(We are) Working the land to improve the soil and also making sure we provide workers with fair, livable wages, that they know their rights and fair treatment of the employees,” said Raul Peraza, an organic specialist at Yumi Dates.

Peraza said they’re on track to harvest more than 20 million pounds of dates, a fruit that so many enjoy because of its sweetness and health benefits.

“They have lots of fiber, potassium, which gives you good energy. It’s great to see people buying dates,” said Peraza.

Peraza said they have about 800 workers at Yumi Dates.

Across their farm, work crews harvest dates and pick them off their fifteen-foot-high date palms.

Workers use a mechanical lift to reach the dates, making sure they pick the best bunch.

Peraza said this season is shaping up to be a great one.

“It’s a good season this year. We’re looking to get a good harvest. I’m very happy. The last two years have been really tough with rain around this time,” Peraza said.

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