Approve Community Benefit Grant proposals for the Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL) in the amount of $5,000 to support the AgHiRE Project, $5,000 for the CLBL’s Match+Program to support the Mobile Farmers Market, and $5,000 to support Tuleyome with the Valley Vista Trail Network project; and delegate authority to staff to complete the necessary agreements with the Center for Land-Based Learning and Tuleyome. (No general fund impact) (Webb/Espitia)

On July 25, 2023, the Board of Supervisors set aside $500,000 for the Community Benefit Equal Allocation Plan. The Plan equally allocated a portion of that funding to each of the five supervisorial districts, allowing each Supervisor to provide grants to local Community-Based Organizations (CBO) operating within their districts. The Board approved the plan at that meeting, further augmenting the funding to $750,000. On June 4, 2024, the Board approved an additional $25,000 per supervisorial district and increased the total amount to $875,000. 

A brief description of the funding proposal follows: 

AgHiRE Program 
This Community Benefit Grant would provide $5,000 from District 5 to the Center for Land-Based Learning. The AgHiRE project fills gaps in education for Spanish-speaking agricultural workers seeking career advancement. Designed with employer input, the 12-week program includes 87 hours of vocational ESL, digital literacy, regulatory awareness, and leadership development. It empowers farmworkers to move into higher-responsibility roles, increasing their wages and strengthening the local agricultural economy. Funds will support instructional delivery, program administration, recruitment, and materials.

Match+ Program
This Community Benefit Grant would provide $5,000 from District 5 to the Center for Land-Based Learning. Match+ is part of CLBL’s Mobile Farmers Market, which improves food access in underserved Yolo County communities. The program extends the 50% Market Match discount to SNAP/EBT customers who have exhausted their benefits, allowing them to still purchase fresh produce. These funds will directly support the Match+ program, which enhances nutrition access and supports local farmers by keeping dollars circulating in the county.

Valley Vista Trail Network
This Community Benefit Grant would provide $5,000 from District 5 to Tuleyome. Valley Vista Trail Network, an initiative that aims to enhance public access to outdoor recreation and connect existing trails throughout the region. The Valley Vista Trail Network is a project that will improve connectivity between established trails, creating a seamless outdoor experience for hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts. Located in the Capay Valley, these trails provide access to public lands and offer a range of recreational opportunities while preserving the region’s natural beauty. By linking key trails, this project will not only expand outdoor access but also promote environmental stewardship and sustainable recreation. Funds dedicated to this effort will support Tuleyome’s work in securing additional resources necessary to complete the connectivity between these trails. This investment will help ensure that the Valley Vista Trail Network becomes a fully integrated system, benefiting both local communities and visitors seeking to explore the scenic landscapes of Yolo County.

Recommended Action
Staff are requesting authority to complete and sign the agreements with the named organizations in the amounts described above. Agreements will utilize the language shown in Att. A. Agreement Template.

Grant recipients are selected by the Supervisor's Districts and reviewed by the County Administrator's Office. 

The respective Supervisors' District staff review potential beneficiaries of the available funding, and the Supervisor selects beneficiaries and funding amounts. District Staff then begin preparation of the agreements. The County Administrator's Office reviews the spending proposals and verifies that the proposed beneficiary meets any necessary requirements under federal and state laws. The proposal is then brought to the Board for delegation of authority to complete funding disbursement.