Cooling technology tested in Yuma fields could help farmers beat extreme heat

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A new agricultural technology being tested in Yuma could help farmers extend growing seasons and protect crops from the region's increasingly intense desert heat.

At the University of Arizona Agricultural Research Station in Yuma, researchers are evaluating a large-scale evaporative cooling system designed to create a more controlled growing environment directly in open farm fields.

The system, developed by AtmoCooling, uses real-time monitoring to adjust temperature and humidity levels throughout the day.

The goal is to help stabilize conditions for crops that are especially vulnerable to heat stress, including broccoli and cabbage.

Paul Mahacek, CEO and co-founder of AtmoCooling, says the technology is designed to give farmers more flexibility in when and how they grow.

"What we're gonna show here is that we can bring temperature and humidity back into a range where we can kind of grow what we want when we want here in Yuma," Mahacek said during a demonstration at the research site.

Researchers say the system is intended to act as a protective buffer during extreme heat events, which are becoming more frequent in the Southwest.

High temperatures can lead to issues such as crop bolting, reduced yields, and shortened harvest windows.

Unlike traditional greenhouse systems, the technology is designed for open-field farming and works alongside existing agricultural equipment and irrigation methods.

Developers say this allows farmers to adopt the system without major infrastructure overhauls.

Company officials also say the system can be rapidly deployed when extreme heat is forecast, offering farmers a short-notice tool to protect crops during critical growing periods.

The Yuma trial builds on previous international deployments, including long-term use in desert agriculture projects in the Middle East, where similar systems have been used to reduce field temperatures under harsh conditions.

Researchers involved in the project say the Yuma testing phase will help determine how effectively the system can improve crop resilience and extend production cycles in one of the nation’s hottest growing regions.

If successful, the technology could offer growers across the Southwest a new way to adapt to rising temperatures while maintaining crop quality and yield.