Farm Bureau scholarship barbecue combines good food with good cause

Last year, the Imperial County Farm Bureau awarded $39,500 in scholarships to 20 local students interested in pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field.

Every year, students from all across the Imperial Valley use these scholarships as they study to become farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, entomologists, scientists and so much more. Ensuring the young generations continue pursuing careers in agriculture is very important to the Imperial Valley and to the agriculture industry.

Each year, the scholarship program grows as we award scholarships from four different scholarship funds: Matthew LaBrucherie, Raul Rodriguez Memorial, Jack & Pauline McConnell Memorial, and Imperial County Farm Bureau scholarships.

The longest-standing of these funds, the Imperial County Farm Bureau Scholarship, is supported each year by the annual Farm Bureau Scholarship Barbecue.

This year’s fundraiser is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in Ryerson Hall at the Desert Trails RV Park in El Centro. More than 1,000 tickets are sold every year to this much-anticipated event where everyone enjoys fantastic barbecue along with live music, bounce houses for the kids, and homemade ice cream.

Drive-thru and take-out orders will also be available.

Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the Farm Bureau office at 1000 Broadway in El Centro or can be purchased at the door the day of the event.

Net proceeds from this year’s event will be disbursed as scholarships for the next academic year.

The success of the Scholarship Barbecue and the Imperial County Scholarship Program would not be as great as it is if it were not for all of our generous donors and the support of the Imperial Valley community.

Imperial County Farm Bureau is grateful for the support it receives which enables this vital program that helps students who are pursuing agriculture related degrees.

Anyone who is interested in more information or who would like to purchase tickets or sponsor the Farm Bureau Scholarship Barbecue are encouraged to contact Farm Bureau at (760) 358-3831 or info@icfb.net

Brea Mohamed is executive director of Imperial County Farm Bureau. She can be reached at brea@icfb.net