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Board approves two Ag Benefit grants to Farm Bureau and Imperial High School FFA
Summary
The Board approved $150,000 to the Imperial County Farm Bureau to support an anti-arson outreach and reward program and $120,000 to Imperial High School FFA for vehicles, tools and equipment upgrades under the county's Agricultural Benefit Program. Farm Bureau and school representatives described program goals and needs.
The Board of Supervisors approved two grants from the county's Agricultural Benefit Program: $150,000 to the Imperial County Farm Bureau for an arson-prevention outreach and reward program, and $120,000 to Imperial High School FFA for equipment, vehicle and safety upgrades.
Rosa Lopez of the CEO's office presented the Farm Bureau grant recommendation, saying the Ag Benefit Committee reviewed the application and recommended funding for education, advertising, outreach and reward payouts tied to the "Burn a Veil/Go to Jail" campaign (a farm-fire prevention and reporting initiative). Farm Bureau vice president Jeff Plourde described a recent increase in fires, insurance deductibles and premium costs, health and air-quality impacts from prolonged field fires, and the group's prior fundraising of roughly $130,000; he said the grant will support signage, outreach and reward payments.
Lopez then presented a second recommended grant, $120,000 to Imperial High School to support the FFA program's procurement of vehicles, tools and equipment to meet program growth and safety needs. Imperial High principal Joe Apodaca and ag teacher Lindsey Stiff described program expansion and the safety and educational reasons for the equipment upgrades.
Board members supported both grants; motions to approve carried. Supervisor Singh moved approval of the Farm Bureau grant and Supervisor Price moved approval of the Imperial High School FFA grant. Both motions were seconded and recorded as carried.
