Title
a. Approve and authorize the Agricultural Commissioner to sign Memorandum(s) of Understanding (MOU) with the Grower Shipper Association Foundation and with Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc. to provide support of agricultural education efforts in Monterey County, and;
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to make payments in accordance with the terms of the MOUs.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Agricultural Commissioner to sign Memorandum(s) of Understanding (MOU) with the Grower Shipper Association Foundation and with Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc. to provide support of agricultural education efforts in Monterey County, and;
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to make payments in accordance with the terms of the MOUs.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In FY 2009-10 and again in FY 2012-13 the County Board of Supervisors directed the Agricultural Commissioner's Office to provide support of agricultural education efforts in Monterey County. The intent was to collaborate for mutual benefit with respect to agricultural education programs and activities, more specifically programs and activities directly related to pest management and control, quarantine and invasive species activities, pesticide use and enforcement, fruit and vegetable standardization, and crop statistics.
Grower Shipper Association Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing the public factual and educational information about the agricultural industry. The Foundation helps support local education, training, scholarship and leadership programs, community outreach and philanthropic endeavors and delivers a nine (9) month professional development program, "AgKnowledge," to community leaders within Monterey County.
Monterey County Agricultural Education (MCAE) is a nonprofit organization that provides educational programs to teachers, administrators, and students throughout Monterey County. MCAE programs include: The Farm Day Experience, Careers in Agriculture, Teacher Workshop, and Education and Agriculture Together (EAT). Under its MOU, MCAE collaborates with the Agricultural Commissioner's Office to develop and deliver three (3) Farm Day Experience programs (Salinas, Monterey, and King City) and other events.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Grower Shipper Foundation and Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc. support this action. The County Administrative Office supports this action. The Office of the County Counsel has approved the proposed MOUs as to form and legality.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund. Sufficient funds are available in the Agricultural Commissioner's Office Budget for FY 2013-2014. Ongoing funding is subject to availability as determined through the County's annual budget review and approval process.
Prepared by:
Sheila Salazar, Finance Manager, 759-7381
Approved by:
Eric Lauritzen, Agricultural Commissioner, 759-7325
Attachments:
Grower Shipper Association MOU
Monterey County Agricultural Education MOU