Region & Members
Rural Communities Rising is committed to ensuring that all 36 rural communities in West Fresno County are fully represented. Our board of directors, which is currently being built, will be represented by 10 community clusters and filled with 21 diverse members, including the four founding board members. This transparent process invites participation from across the region, and we encourage residents to take our survey, attend our meetings, and potentially step up to become a leader. Board members will be officially elected and confirmed at the inaugural Rural Communities Rising Summit in April 2025, and we encourage rural residents and leaders from all 36 communities to get involved and help shape the future of our communities.
| 10 Geographic Community Clusters + At-Large Founders | Representing Specific Cities and Unincorporated Communities | Representative Board Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Firebaugh Cluster 1 city & 6 communities | Firebaugh, Benito, Cromir, Broadview Farms, Oro Loma, Oxalis, Russell Avenue Community | 3 |
| 2 | Mendota Cluster 1 city & 4 communities | Mendota, Ingle, Murietta Farm, Pilibos Ranch, La Jolla Ranch | 2 |
| 3 | Kerman Cluster 1 city & 4 communities | Kerman, Church-Floyd Avenue Community, Madera Avenue Community, Butte-Central Avenue Neighborhood, Yuba Avenue Community | 2 |
| 4 | Caruthers Cluster 5 communities | Caruthers, Cornelia-Floral Avenue, Raisin City, Hayes Rd.-Perrin Colony, Hughes/Magnolia Ave. | 2 |
| 5 | Lanare-Riverdale Cluster 5 communities | Lanare, Riverdale, Burrel Community, Camden, Laton | 2 |
| 6 | San Joaquin Cluster 1 city & 2 communities | San Joaquin, Tranquility, Helm | 2 |
| 7 | Five Points Cluster 2 communities | Five Points, O’Neil Farms-Westside | 1 |
| 8 | Huron Cluster 1 city | Huron City/Neighborhoods | 1 |
| 9 | Coalinga Cluster 1 city | Coalinga City/Neighborhoods | 1 |
| 10 | Cantua Creek Cluster 2 communities | Cantua Creek-Three Rocks/El Porvenir | 1 |
| 11 | At-Large 501c3 Founding Board | Felipe Perez, Jose Antonio Ramirez, Eliseo Gamino, Espi Sandoval | 4 |
| Totals | 36 communities represented + At-Large 501c3 Founding Board Members | 21 Board Positions |
HOW COMMUNITIES CAN JOIN
Once the full 21-member board is seated in April 2025 and a regular schedule of board meetings is published, a request can be made by an organized unincorporated rural community to be placed on an agenda for consideration.
Our Region
Rural Communities Rising serves 36 rural communities and 10 community clusters across West Fresno County, including small cities and unincorporated areas most impacted by clean energy development. Explore our map and view the region that represents the heart of our work.
The 36 communities are shown on the map as orange dots. You may see the name of that community by clicking on each one. You can view the communities that are a part of a cluster by hovering over the cluster names (Firebaugh Cluster, for example). You can also see the communities included in the cluster by clicking the cluster name if you are using a mobile device. You may turn on and off the various layers using the buttons on the bottom left of the map.
Founding Board Members
Felipe Perez
Rural Communities Rising Founding Board President, Firebaugh City Council Member, SEEN Team and RCI Organizer among his many other community development, environmental education, youth empowerment, family preservation, healthy food access, and parish leadership roles over the past 30 years in western Fresno County.
Jose Antoinio Ramirez
Rural Communities Rising Founding Board Vice-President, former City Manager for Cities of Orange Cove, Firebaugh and Livingston for more than 20 years, CEO of Community Development, Inc., board member and advisor to more than 10 regional, state and national organizations, and RCI Organizer.
Eliseo Gamino
Rural Communities Rising Founding Board Member, Board of Trustees Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District, President Central Valley Leadership Round Table, life-long K-14 educator, holding various community college administrator, college director, associate dean, grant director positions through-out his career.
Espi Sandoval
Rural Communities Rising Founding Board Member, educator, administrator and coach for 30 years at Tranquillity High School, Kerman City Council Member from 2016 to 2020, statewide dual enrollment champion, and Central Valley Leadership Round Table member among many voluntary positions.