El Centro highlight
Imperial Valley agricultural center
A UC Riverside research and extension facility that supports the region's agricultural economy, which generates over $1 billion in annual crop production.
The Imperial Valley Agricultural Center, operated by UC Cooperative Extension and UC Riverside, serves the region's farming community through applied research, education, and technical support. The center works with farmers who grow winter vegetables, lettuce, carrots, sugar beets, alfalfa, and other crops in the fertile valley. The valley's agricultural economy relies entirely on irrigation from the Colorado River via the All-American Canal, enabling two harvest cycles each year on over 1,400 miles of canals and water infrastructure.
Agriculture remains the largest industry in Imperial County, accounting for nearly half of all employment and generating more than $1 billion annually. The Imperial Valley supplies roughly two-thirds of the nation's winter vegetables, making it a critical supplier to markets across the United States. The agricultural research conducted at the center helps farmers maintain productivity in a desert climate where innovation in irrigation, pest management, and crop varieties is essential.
The families who work in agriculture, from farm owners to seasonal workers, are building permanent lives in El Centro with mortgages, children, and plans for retirement. Life insurance that covers income during the growing seasons and protects a family through an uncertain harvest is a practical tool for planning.