Brawley FFA students win grant money

Two Brawley High School students recieved grant money for their farm projects.

Both students are active members of FFA, Future farmers of America.

The grants were given to the students by the makers of the documentary film, Farmers for America.

The film highlights obstacles the farming and food industry is facing in America, specifically the lack of young farmers in the country. The short film motivates the young generation to pursue jobs in agriculture that will help feed our country.

“The average age of the U.S. farmer is 60-years-old,” said Graham Meriwether, director of Farmers for America.

“If we don’t get young people into agriculture, we’re going to have a situation where we are going to be importing most of our food, and we’re not going to be able to grow our own food,” said Meriwether.

Following the screening David Angulo, and Luz Velarde-Rios were award their grant money. Both students will be using their funds to implement their farm projects.

“I’m going to produce salsa from things I grow, such as tomato, chili peppers, tomatillo, cilantro, anything that has to do with salsas,” said Rios.

“From there I plan on using them as marketing and selling them.”

Rios expressed her hopes of making a difference in the imperial valley, ” I hope to one day make a difference in my community,” said Rios.

Rios says that her success would not be possible without her FFA peers and advisors.