Living History: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there an edible plant that tells your story, whether personal, cultural, family, immigrant, indigenous, ancestral?

Apply to grow a crop in the "Living History of Flagstaff" Gardens!

We have 6 (six) openings to be a Living History grower in a raised metal Vego garden bed (about 6.5 x 3.5 foot) at our McAllister Ranch growing space during the 2026 growing season. Each bed comes filled with local compost. Grow your crop, share your story, and enjoy the harvests at our end-of-season celebration in the Fall.

Here's the answers to nine questions that might help you decide whether to apply.

1. What is an example of a plant that tells your story?

This can be a plant that you know from the smell, because your grandmother always cooked with it. It can be a plant that is native to your ancestral home, or whose name means something special to you. If there's a plant that conjures a memory or says something about the journey you are on, and paints one portrait of the many different people in our city, then we want to share that story!

2. What kind of plant is a good fit for the "Living History" gardens?

• Edible (you can eat it!)

• Annual (you can harvest it by the end of the season)

• Matures in less than 90 days (our average last frost is June 16, first frost is September 24)

• Does well in cool and / or dry climates

3. What is McAllister Ranch, and where is it located?

The "Living History" gardens are situated inside the Superyard Farms growing area at McAllister Ranch, located at 3366 Historic Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001. Superyard Farms is incubating a growing space at the City-owned historic McAllister Ranch in partnership with the Sustainability Office at the City of Flagstaff. Read more about this exciting development here.

4. Is there a fee to grow in the "Living History" patch?

   No! There's no fee to grow, nor to apply. While there is no fee to use the space, soil, or water to grow a Living History crop, we do ask that you share some of your harvest in our end-of-season Living History celebration. If there is a reason you would not be able to share in that harvest, let us know in the application.

5. What if I have a story to tell about a plant, but I can't grow it on my own?

We understand that some people have a great story, but may not have the skills, wherewithal, or time to tend to the crop. We can work with that! When you apply, you can select storyteller & grower, or storyteller ONLY. If you need Superyard's help to grow, select "Living History" storyteller ONLY.

6. Do I need seeds of the plant I want to grow in "Living History"?

Of course, it all starts with a seed! But if you are unsure of how to find seeds or would have a challenge in buying them, let us know in the application. We may be able to help.

7. How do I apply?

Use this simple google form here.

8. When is the deadline?

May 30th at midnight, Mountain Standard Time.

9. How will you choose the six Living History growers?

It's the first time we've ever done anything like this, so we are going to do our best to be fair and transparent in the event we have more applications than growing beds! Our most important criteria is: is this a plant that will grow in our short, dry, and cool climate in a raised Vego bed? After that, it's making sure we don't have six of the same crops being grown!

10. I have more questions. Who do I contact?

Send us an email at superyardfarms@gmail.com

Ready to apply? Fill out the google form here by midnight on May 30th. Growers will be announced the following week so we can get planting!