Media Advisory
1450 Herndon, Clovis, CA 93611-0599
(559) 327-9000; Fax (559) 327-9099
www.cusd.com



This week, Clovis Unified’s Governing Board adopted a resolution naming the district’s Ag Center after well-known local agriculturalists John Coffman and Bill McFarlane. The Board’s unanimous decision means that the 15-acre facility located adjacent to Clovis East High School will be named the McFarlane-Coffman Ag Center.
In addition, the two academic wings that make-up the facility will now be named the William McFarlane Plant Science Wing and the John Coffman Animal Science Wing.
McFarlane and Coffman are longtime supporters of Clovis Unified School District. Both graduated from Clovis High School in 1943, and at separate times, both served on the district’s Governing Board. McFarlane and his father have farmed crops such as grapes, grains and almonds in the Valley since 1948. Coffman is a local rancher and nut grower with many ties to the community as well.
Since its inception Coffman and McFarlane have led CUSD’s Agriculture Advisory Committee, which has been instrumental in helping the district receive funding to build new agriculture facilities. The district’s Ag program has grown by close to 700 students since the fall of 2000, when the first phase of the new facility opened. Now, students from around the Valley can conduct college and business level research on such topics as genetics, breeding, crop development and DNA fingerprinting.
Clovis Unified’s McFarlane-Coffman Ag Center features state of the art swine breeding facilities, four acres of pastureland, a greenhouse featuring automated climate controls, and extensive laboratory space.
For additional information on the McFarlane-Coffman Ag Center and Clovis Unified’s agriculture program, contact Kelly Avants, Public Information Officer, at 559-327-9092.
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