On March 27, 2026, the Feliciano Farmworker Fund awarded $25,000 in its first round of grants to organizations supporting farmworker families across the Imperial Valley, distributing $5,000 each to Heber Elementary School District, ICOE Foundation, Líderes Campesinas, California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), and Calexico Wellness Center.

The grants will support programs that expand access to health care, education, legal services, and essential resources for farmworkers and their families.

The fund was created to honor Feliciano Herrera, who worked for many years as a farmworker and was known for his resilience, generosity, and dedication to family. Herrera was born in Durango, Mexico, in 1936. As a young man, he immigrated to the United States and, in 1976, brought his family to the Imperial Valley to begin a new life filled with hope and opportunity. Together with his wife Martha, he worked tirelessly, raised eight children, and created a loving home where the door was always open and neighbors were always welcome.  

He spent many years as a farmworker to provide for his family and ensure his children had access to education. His story reflects the experiences of many farmworker families in Imperial County who continue to face barriers to opportunities and basic resources.

The Feliciano Farmworker Fund was created to honor the values Herrera held dear, including education, healthcare, food security, housing, and family.

“This fund not only represents our father’s legacy, but the shared story of so many families in the Imperial Valley,” said Elvira Anaya, Herrera’s daughter. “It is a commitment to ensuring that farmworkers and their families have access to the opportunities and resources they deserve.”

The fund was made possible through the collaboration of the Herrera family, the International Community Foundation, and the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation, with the goal of creating long-term impact for farmworker communities in the region.

Click here to watch a video from the event.