Grimm family donates $5M to CSUB for agribusiness center

BAKERSFIELD, Calif — Students interested in the agriculture business will soon have more education opportunities open to them after the Grimm family, who own Grimmway Farms, donated $5 million for a new agribusiness center at CSU Bakersfield.

The Board of Trustees of the California State University approved the establishment of the Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business at CSUB. The new center was made possible by an endowment created by Barbara Grimm-Marshall and Kari Grimm Anderson.

The $5 million pledge of support for the Center is the single largest gift in the 50-year history of the university.

"The gift coincides with the 50th anniversary of family-owned Grimmway Farms and honors the legacy of the company’s founders, Rod and Bob Grimm," the university said in a release.

The Center will be operated by an executive director, who will create a strategic plan, build a regional network of professionals and experts and oversee the development of curriculum, events and programs, including a lecture series, forums and workshops, professional development, research and scholarships for students.