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Ventura County Museum says Ag Museum will reduce passive hours; proposes partnership to keep operations
Summary
Museum of Ventura County staff told the council the Ag Museum costs about $320,000/year and will reduce passive visiting hours to stay open one day a week while exploring a partnership with Fillmore nonprofit 1 Step Alla Vista to share staffing; the change could be effective January 2026.
Ellen Brokaw, appearing for the Museum of Ventura County, briefed the council on operational challenges at the Agriculture Museum in the Mill Building and outlined an updated operating model intended to preserve public programming while reducing costs.
Brokaw said annual direct operating costs are about $320,000 and that the museum draws under 10,000 visitors per year. To reduce expenses, the museum plans to eliminate most passive visiting hours and remain open one day a week (Sundays) while maintaining free admission and one large free community program monthly.
To expand earned revenue, the museum is pursuing partnerships; Brokaw described talks with 1 Step Alla Vista (a Fillmore nonprofit) to share space and let that organization provide youth programming two days a week while training youth to staff the front desk under adult supervision. The museum would retain one staff member on site and the partners would share responsibilities.
Brokaw said the board does not take the decision lightly, emphasized the museum's community benefit role and said closures would be effective January 2026 if the revised model is finalized. Council members asked clarifying questions about cost breakdowns, private rentals and possible impacts on other local venues; Brokaw said the museum intends not to compete with private rental businesses and will continue community outreach.
