Do the Work: Imperial Valley

On Thursday, September 29th, 2022, Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties led 19 participants through an all-day, immersive learning experience to learn more about Imperial Valley from Community Based Organizations making a difference in their county. Participants met with representatives from California Rural Legal Assistance, Campesinos Unidos, Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego, Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center, Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee, and Trevor Tagg’s family farm.

Imperial County is both the youngest and the least populated county in California and boasts an area more than twice the square miles of the State of Delaware. With agriculture accounting for almost 50% of all its jobs, Imperial County produces two-thirds of all the vegetables consumed by Americans during the winter. Home to the Salton Sea and an incredibly active renewable energy sector including solar, wind, geothermal, and possibly one of the world’s largest lithium deposits.

• Learn more about Imperial County and our trip below.

ReSOURCES:

• Abundance in Imperial County: Leveraging Community Strengths for Philanthropic Engagement (5 min read)
• Oral Histories Meant to Inspire Community (4 min read)
• What is Lithium Valley? (2 min read)
• The All-American Canal (5 min read)