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Monterey County opens AgPass applications for commercial growers through March
Summary
Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo said Monterey County is accepting AgPass applications through March for commercial operations in state responsibility areas; the pass expedites access during evacuations and requires biennial emergency-training certification.
Juan Hidalgo, Monterey County agricultural commissioner, said the county is accepting applications through March for the AgPass program, which provides expedited access to agricultural properties during disasters when permitted by local emergency responders.
Hidalgo said the AgPass — approved by the County Board of Supervisors in 2023 and rooted in 2021 wildfire-era legislation — is intended to allow commercial growers to shelter or evacuate livestock, irrigate commodities to prevent loss, and move equipment to safety when law enforcement deems access safe.
To qualify, Hidalgo said applicants must be commercial agricultural operations with property in California’s state responsibility area; he noted growers within some cities, such as Salinas, currently do not qualify. Applicants must complete disaster training provided by local law enforcement and CAL FIRE and renew that training every two years to keep the AgPass active.
Hidalgo said there is currently no fee to apply and that county staff work with applicants to confirm eligibility and coordinate required training. The commissioner said the county is studying program expansion to include additional areas not presently covered by the state responsibility area designation.
"The AgPass provides expedited access to enter evacuation areas when it's permitted by local emergency responders," Hidalgo said, emphasizing that final access decisions remain with first responders.
Hidalgo directed interested growers to the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office website and a QR code the briefing displayed for application details and instructions.
The briefing did not include a formal vote or ordinance text; Hidalgo cited the program’s Board approval year and the training and eligibility rules that growers must meet.
