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Please check out our newsletters' page for detailed information on some of these events.... and
dont forget to come back soon to check the updates on upcoming events..
LATINO PRODUCERS VOICES HEARD IN DC USDA NATIONAL MEETING
Washington state was well represented by Latino producers at the FIFTH ANNUAL PARTNERS MEETING held in Washington D.C.
on August 6-8, 2008
The
annual meeting provides a venue for local Community Based Organizations that have a history of serving limited resource producers
and USDA staff to share best practices no how to better serve limited resource producers and rural communities.
RCDR's
Center for Latino Farmers was invited and headed a delegation of 13 Latino producers. The farmers attending were Primitivo
Serna, Evaristo Silva, Jose Guzman, Hilario Alvarez, Julio Flores, Jose Luna and Simon Arzola representing the minority farmers
from Washington State. Maria Ines Catalan, Amparo Martinez, Miguel Ramirez represented the minority farmers from California
State and Modesta Salazar, Ramiro Torres, Pedro Peña represented a group from Texas. Luz Bazan Gutierrez, RCDR President
and CEO and Blanca Alvitres, Lead Financial Specialist accompanied the farmers and also served as experts on panels during
the three day session.
The weeklong conference focused on building bridges, building hope and working together
to strengthen farming and the rural communities between Community Based Organizations and USDA agencies. Acting Secretary
of Agriculture Ed Schafer made the opening comments by thanking all the 500 attendees (CBOs & USDA agencies) in this conference
and he identified the RCDR Center for Latino Farmers for its outstanding work in WA State in his remarks for meeting the needs
of underserved constituents and has effectively facilitated the delivery of USDA programs and services to these stakeholders.
Hilario Alvarez, a well known organic farmer from Mabton, was able to present a rosca, wreath, of chiles as a gift to
Secretary Schafer in a spontaneous gesture at the end of his presentation. Secretary Schafer took a photo with farmer Alvarez.
The 2008 Farm Bill which was recently passed was also discussed and the changes that could most impact the limited
resource farmers. Regulations are being developed and the discussions were held on how to have impact on the implementation
of regulations that will benefit limited resource producers and beginning farmers.
Maria Ines Catalan, an organic
Latina producer in Hollister California was nominated by RCDR for her tireless work in advocating for organic farming and
assisting limited resource producers using her own funds.
The farmers also met with staff from Sen Murray, Sen
Cantwell and Congressman Hastings offices who expressed support for the efforts of agriculture and the efforts of the Center.
The issues of confronting the farmers on regarding lack of labor and the immigration reform were also discussed. The
congressional staff expressed support in seeking funds to maintain the high quality of services being offered at the Center.
All the farmers felt it was worth attending and expressed on how fortunate they were to have the Center for Latino
Farmers to help them access and work through USDA paperwork and services. The Center is one of only about six CBOs that focus
on serving the Latino farmers who per the USDA Ag Census show the fastest growth.

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"Center's CEO visits the Pequeños Agricultores de California (Small Farmers from California)"
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"2008 Latino/Hispanic Farmers & Ranchers Northwest Regional
Conference"
Sponsorship for the conference was from RMA, NASS G&G Orchards, Banner
Bank & Central Valley Bank.
↓ January 31st, 2008 ↓
Reaching Consensus on Immigration Debate
The
Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation sponsored the Jan 31st session which was requested by the farmers who are the
stakeholders in all farming operations.
The farmers were engaged in the discussion and spoke about their desire
to become more active concerning the workforce and programs that will have an impact in their farms.
| Pictures from the Conference |
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| The Center thanks all the participants, Planning Committee Members & sponsors for their support |