By Priscilla Totiyapungprasert | Arizona Republic
Ten years ago, Mark Rhine, then a broadband contractor, sold his company and poured his retirement savings into Rhibafarms. Today, Rhine owns 3.3 acres of land in San Tan Valley, where he grows about 45 different types of crops.
In April, his banana trees are waking from their winter slumber. Leafy greens are on their way out, but there’s still plenty of tomatoes and cucumbers — plus the hemp crops that give the farm its skunky smell right now, he said.
His other fruit trees are young and blooming. Rhine said he’s building this farm for the next family that wants to take over the homestead — the trees will bring their biggest bounty for them.
But first Rhibafarms needs to survive the new coronavirus pandemic.
