WMED Leads the Way: Arizona Agriculture Director Tours Regional Food Hotspots

White Mountain Economic Development (WMED) recently hosted Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley on a multi-city tour of Northern Arizona, spotlighting the region’s dynamic and growing food-based initiatives.

Arizona State Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley tours the Market of Dreams in Flagstaff, Arizona

With stops in Flagstaff, Winslow, and Show Low, the visit highlighted WMED’s leadership in supporting local food systems, small business incubation, and community-driven entrepreneurship. The tour served as a unique opportunity to showcase the impact of a variety of collaborative efforts and to align them with the state’s broader mission of advancing agricultural development and food security.

Donald Laughlin, President and CEO of WMED, emphasized the importance of the Director’s engagement:

"Director Brierley's participation with our communities underscores the importance of regional collaboration in advancing Arizona's agricultural landscape. His visit validates the efforts of local entrepreneurs and the support structures we've established."

Flagstaff: Market of Dreams

In Flagstaff, the visit included a stop at the Market of Dreams, a multicultural business incubator, with its founder Dr. Coral Evans. This unique space offers low-barrier access to entrepreneurial resources for underrepresented communities, including a commissary kitchen, retail storefronts, and training programs. The market has become a launchpad for local food truck businesses and makers, reflecting the potential for economic growth rooted in community and cultural heritage.

Winslow: Mother Road Farmers Market and Youth Engagement

In Winslow, Brierley was welcomed by Lori LaShomb, manager of the Mother Road Farmers Market. LaShomb arranged for vendors of the Farmer’s Market to provide lunch and share their stories of developing their food businesses.  This growing market has quickly become a centerpiece of community interaction and food access. A standout program is “Little Roadies,” a new youth engagement initiative designed to connect children with the local food system, the farmers market experience, and early lessons in entrepreneurship. Through interactive activities and special market tokens, kids are encouraged to explore where their food comes from, meet local vendors, and actively participate in the community’s food economy.

The team at Mother Road Farmers Market share details for Paul Brierley about their successful food-related initiatives.

White Mountain Economic Development has been actively advancing efforts to establish a dedicated food business incubator in Winslow—an initiative aimed at supporting local food entrepreneurs with access to shared kitchen space, retail opportunities, and business development resources. They recently completed a feasibility study, which received strong support from the community, marking a significant step in bringing this vision to life.

Show Low: Pre-Incubation Program for Entrepreneurs

In Show Low, Brierley met with Sunshine Brewer, Executive Director of the Show Low Chamber of Commerce, and other key decision makers from the region hosted by the City of Show Low. Discussions centered on the city’s new pre-incubation program, in collaboration with WMED. The 12-month program launches this summer and offers tailored support for food and construction entrepreneurs. This no-cost program includes business counseling, accounting education, and collaborative support structures designed to increase long-term success for rural startups.

"Seeing Director Brierley connect directly with grassroots efforts helps build bridges between policy and practice,” Laughlin added. “It shows that the state is listening to rural communities and wants to be part of their growth story."

Brierley’s tour demonstrated the energy and momentum building in Northern Arizona’s food ecosystem. Through collaborative efforts led by WMED and strong local partnerships, the region is fast becoming a model for rural food innovation and inclusive economic development—one the Arizona Department of Agriculture hopes to uplift and replicate statewide.

To learn more about WMED’s involvement in food programs, please visit https://www.wmedev.org/.