Imperial Valley research center presents plans as board adds real‑property negotiation to closed session

Candice Nelson, manager of the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center, told the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on May 20 that the center seeks a “rebirth” as the Imperial Valley Center for Agricultural Innovation and will pursue private investment plus state, local and federal grants to support applied research, demonstrations and workforce training.

Nelson said the center aims to address local needs including irrigation efficiency, food safety and economic sustainability, and that the center has 75 years of history in the county. "As local and completely independent, we've been able to pivot to meet the local needs of agriculture many times in the past, and we continue to do that in the future," Nelson said.

The presentation was followed later in the meeting by an urgency item added to closed session concerning real‑property negotiations tied to the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center. Rebecca Terrazas Baxter, identified in the meeting as the county negotiator, read the item into the record and said negotiations would include price and terms for APNs 040130001, 040130002 and 048240016. The board voted to accept the urgency item and convene to closed session; the clerk later reported that direction had been given in closed session and that no reportable action was taken on the property negotiation.

At the dais, board members thanked Nelson and noted the center's potential role following recent crop losses in the valley. Supervisor Peggy Price said ag research will be important after the loss of the sugar‑beet industry and that the center's work could identify new crops and economic opportunities.

The record shows the board will continue discussions about the center in closed session and through future agenda items; Nelson left copies of letters of support and offered to answer follow‑up questions from staff.

Why it matters: Imperial County's agricultural economy provides thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity; local research capacity can influence crop choices, irrigation practices and industry resilience. The board's decision to discuss specific parcels in closed session signals the potential for an imminent land negotiation involving a public‑private research effort.

What the board did: The board voted in open session to add and consider a closed‑session urgency item for real‑property negotiation tied to the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center (APNs as listed). After closed session, the county reported direction was given and no reportable action was taken.

The county staff contact listed the research center's materials for board members and noted future outreach plans with the ag community.

Provenance: The board accepted the urgency item for real property under Government Code 54956.8 (read into the record by Rebecca Terrazas Baxter, transcript block starting "Thank you. It is a conference with real property under government code 54956.8..."). The center presentation began when Candice Nelson introduced the research center and outlined the vision (transcript block starting "Thanks for allowing us to present today. I'm Candace Nelson..."). The closed‑session report later referenced the same property APNs and said direction was given (transcript block starting "And then finally, the board met and closed with an urgency item added, a conference with Real Property Negotiator...").