5/2/26 - OUTDOOR LIVING HOUR! Farm Fresh Beef With The Arizona Farm Bureau!

In this episode of Rosie on the House, host Rosie welcomes Benny Aja, a rancher from Coconino County and president of the Coconino County Farm Bureau, to discuss Arizona's beef industry during National Beef Month and Farm Fresh Hour. Benny shares the story of his family’s ranch, tracing its roots to his grandfather’s 1919 journey from Spain to Seligman, Arizona, and the decades of resilience and innovation that transformed a drought-stricken, cedar-covered landscape into a thriving 36-section ranch with 16 dirt tanks, eight water halls, and eight miles of pipeline. The conversation delves into the challenges of water scarcity, with Benny detailing how he hauls 5,000 gallons of water every few days from Williams, a 20-mile dirt road trip that began as early as March due to record drought. He also highlights the growing tension between public recreation and private land stewardship, particularly from OHV use and unregulated camping that damage native grasses and water sources. Benny advocates for better education, law enforcement, and a permitting system to balance access with conservation. The episode also explores the science behind beef quality, genetics, and sustainability, emphasizing that Arizona beef ranks among the top in taste and quality due to advanced breeding and management. The hosts celebrate beef as a nutrient-dense, sustainable protein source, with a nod to the 99% utilization of each animal and the cultural significance of cattle in Arizona’s history.