An Imperial Valley olive grower and processor has been approved for a Agricultural Benefit Program Loan

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a loan of up to $810,000 for Desert Milling Incorporated. The loan is conditional with the Board requesting that Desert Milling return with more information regarding an appraisal. Desert Milling is based in Brawley. Currently they manage over 300 acres of olive trees in the Imperial Valley and say that they have other farmers interested in planting hundreds more acres of trees. The loan will help with operating expenses and be used to purchase milling equipment to help build a new olive processing plant to press extra virgin olive oil in the Imperial Valley. The new facility wold be built near Westmorland.