On a hot summer day in 2005,

400 plus Hispanic, Latino,

African-American, Asian, and

other minority farmers and

ranchers gathered for the first

time in Las Cruces, New Mexico

to write a new chapter in

American Agriculture

Sembrando Raices:

"Building Leadership & Nurturing Our Legacy…"

The theme was

First Annual Conference

August 25-27, 2005, Las Cruces, NM

They came from New Mexico

the host state, Arizona,

Colorado, Texas, California,

Oregon, Washington, North and

South Carolina, as well as from

far away places deep in Mexican

territory, Chihuahua, Coahuila,

Zacatecas, and the Federal

District

Perhaps overwhelmed by the

growing burdens encountered,

but prepared to take their share

of responsibility, they started

with a simple benediction

and the planting of

an oak tree…

And their leaders guided them

to fulfill their dreams and to

inspire every one who cares

about the future of the nation…

.

HFRA Board Members 2005-2006

Edward Provencio, HFRA, Inc. Treasurer

Margie Huerta, Mistress of Ceremonies

Lupe Garcia, NALHFR, Inc. Las Cruces, New Mexico

. .

Legislative breakfast session

Tom Hofeller, USDA, FSA, Washington, D.C.

Conversation Track 1- B"Programs and Resources for Farmers

and Ranchers"

Rudy Arredondo, President/CEO Washington, D.C.

And so they march to meet the Secretary…

Patiently waiting…

Take a note of one of our sponsors…

And welcome him with mariachis and

goodwill…

The Forums: A USDA commitment to obtain public input to develop recommendations for the new farm bill.

The message…

Rolling up his sleeves and ready to listen…

Dionicio "Donnie" Valdez II, NALHFR, Weslaco, Texas

FFA Leader

4H Leader

NALHFRLeadersand Advocates outliningmajor issuesand concernsaffecting minorityfarmers andranchers…

Lupe Garcia, NALHFR, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Prof. Juan Marinez, Michigan State University

Luz Bazan Gutierrez, NALHFR, Yakima, Washington

Alex Contreras, Rancher, Sour Lake, Texas

USDA Secretary with the NAVAJO NATION Chief

Rick Lopez, USDA - FSA Director, New Mexico

Dr. Gonzalez, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture

Hezekiah Gibson, Producer, Manning, South Carolina

Alvin Alston, Producer, Sumter, South Carolina

Jennifer Carter, NALHFR Conference Coordinator

Rudy Arredondo, NALHFR President/CEO Mon S. Yee, Professor, California State Polytechnic, Pomona

Lupe Garcia, NALHFR, Las Cruces, New Mexico and

Hezekiah Gibson, Producer, Manning, South Carolina

Sheena Xiong, President, New American Farming Assn.

Andres Madrigal, Producer, Salinas, California and friend.

Hon. Dr. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture

USDA - Agricultural Marketing Service was represented by:

Brain Wright, John Langenegger, Vernon Burkholder, Ben Robles, Ricardo Krajewski, Patrick Romero, and Arthur Neal

Brainstorming session with Collette Harrell and

Jennifer Samolyk, HOWREY LLP - Washington office…

Vernon Parker, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, USDA

Dr. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture

Lorette Picciano, Executive Director, Rural Coalition

Alicia Rodriguez, Office of Outreach USDA,Vernon Parker, Assistant Secretary Office of Civil Rights,

Annabelle Romero, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Secretary's Mike Johanns sharing his Farm Forum experiences…

Arnoldo Cantu, President,

Minority Agricultural Producers, Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Hon. Eligio "Kika" De La Garza, Representative (Ret.) U.S. House - Texas 15th Dist. Ricardo Krajewski, Economist, USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service, Washington, D.C.

History was made in Las Cruces,

New Mexico, on August 2005.

And then…

They entertained themselves…

with serenatas…

and mariachis…

Mariachi Real de Chihuahua

A cultural event highlight

a hat-exchange by two famous cowboys…

The "First Annual Conference" concluded with a Gala Event and Award Dinner honoring the Hon. Eligio "Kika" De la Garza with

NALHFR First "Lifetime Achievement Award"

Born in Mercedes, Hidalgo County, Texas, Sept. 22, 1927

At age 17 enlisted in the Navy and serves until 1946Served in Korea with the Army's 37th Artillery DivisionEarned Law degree from St Mary's Univ. in 1952 the sameyear he was elected to the Texas House of RepresentativesAfter six terms in Austin, in 1964 he was elected to the USHouse of Representatives, were he served for 36 years

Thirteen of those were served as the Chairman of theAgriculture Committee, successfully leading the way forthe House to passed three successful omnibus farm billsThose of 1981, 1985, and 1990. In addition to his many recognitions he is the recipient ofthe Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest honor Mexicocan bestow on a foreigner…

Hon. Eligio "Kika De La Garza, and his spouse…

Hon. Dr. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture and his spouse enjoying the gala…

Hon. Eligio "Kika" De La GarzaMrs. Cecila "Cicy" Davila, Rancher, Hargill, Texas

Lorette Picciano, Executive Director, Rural Coalition

Alex Contreras, Rancher, Sour Lake, Texas

Jennifer Carter, NALHFR Conference Coordinator

Jennifer Samolyk with Margie Huerta, Conference's

Mistress of Ceremonies, and Collette Harrell

Lorette Picciano, Executive Director, Rural Coalition

Alvin Alston, Farmer, Sumter, South Carolina

Mr. & Mrs. Marcelino Davila, Rancher, Hargill, Texas

Selma Navarro, HLPANR participant and mother with

Isadora Genesis, baby, San Antonio,TX

And they danced the night away….

Margie Huerta, Mistress of Ceremonies

Edward Provencio, HFRA, Inc. Treasurer

Conference Host CommitteePaul Gutierrez, State Dir., USDA NM Office of Rural Development

Lupe Garcia, Pres., HFR of America, Las Cruces, NM

Dr. Miley Gonzalez, Secretary, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Carlos Marantes, Director, Agriculture Workers Project, El Paso, Texas

Arnoldo Cantu, Pres., Minority Agric. Producers, Rio Grande Valley

Pete Grijalva Jr. President, Hispanic Farmers Assn., El Paso, Texas

The NALHFR Board will like to thank:USDA - Office of Outreach & Diversity

Risk Management Agency

Agricultural Marketing Service

RURAL COALITION

Hispanic Organization Leadership Alliance (HOLA)

John Deere

Willy C. Velasquez Foundation

SANGHA - A fair trade store

Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers of America Inc.

Minority Agricultural Producers

Rural Community Development Resources Center

Their journey is under way they will continue "Sembrando raices"…

Todo pasa y todo queda pero el nuestro es pasar pasar haciendo caminos caminos sobre la mar.

Golpe a golpe, verso a verso

Al andar se hace camino y al volver la vista atrasse ve la senda que nunca se ha de volver a pisar.Caminante no hay camino se hace camino al andar… Antonio Machado