[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1U5Vz_c6XE[/youtube]

PHOTOS: Ivan Delgado/Coachella Unincorporated

THERMAL, Calif. — Eastern Coachella Valley residents, leaders, organizations, and officials gathered on October 4 to discuss key issues surrounding their rural community at the Rural Forum on Sustainable Communities. The event was sponsored by Pueblo Unido Community Development Corporation and San Jose Community and Bea Main Learning Center.

According to Pueblo Unido, the Eastern Coachella Valley farm worker labor force has generated over $430,000,000 in revenue per year over the past decade, making them key contributors to both local and regional agriculture system. Despite their economic importance, this community is largely underrepresented. Many live in mobile home communities that lack basic infrastructure and are facing issues, including: sanitary sewer collection systems; domestic potable water and flood control; illegal toxic dumpsites; and limited innovative affordable housing opportunities.