1. 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

2. Sembrando Raices:
"Building Leadership
&
Nurturing Our Legacy…"
The theme was

3. First Annual Conference
August 25-27, 2005, Las Cruces, NM

4. 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

5. 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…

6. And their leaders guided them
to fulfill their dreams and to inspire
every one who cares about the
future of the nation…

7. .
HFRA Board Members 2005-2006

10. Edward Provencio, HFRA, Inc. Treasurer
Margie Huerta, Mistress of Ceremonies
Lupe Garcia, NALHFR, Inc. Las Cruces, New Mexico

11. .
.
Legislative breakfast session

12. Tom Hofeller, USDA, FSA, Washington, D.C.
Conversation Track 1- B
"Programs and Resources for Farmers
and Ranchers"

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

19. And so they march to meet the
Secretary…

20. Patiently waiting…

27. Take a note of one of our sponsors…

31. And welcome him with mariachis and
goodwill…

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

35. The message…

36. Rolling up his sleeves and ready to listen…

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

40. FFA Leader

41. 4H Leader

42. NALHFR
Leaders
and Advocates
outlining
major issues
and concerns
affecting
minority
farmers and
ranchers…
Lupe Garcia, NALHFR, Las Cruces, New Mexico

43. Prof. Juan Marinez, Michigan State University

44. Luz Bazan Gutierrez, NALHFR, Yakima, Washington

45. Alex Contreras, Rancher, Sour Lake, Texas

48. USDA Secretary with the NAVAJO NATION Chief

49. Rick Lopez, USDA - FSA Director, New Mexico

51. Dr. Gonzalez, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture
Hezekiah Gibson, Producer, Manning, South Carolina
Alvin Alston, Producer, Sumter, South Carolina

52. Jennifer Carter, NALHFR Conference Coordinator
Rudy Arredondo, NALHFR President/CEO
Mon S. Yee, Professor, California State Polytechnic, Pomona

53. Lupe Garcia, NALHFR, Las Cruces, New Mexico and
Hezekiah Gibson, Producer, Manning, South Carolina

55. Sheena Xiong, President, New American Farming Assn.
Andres Madrigal, Producer, Salinas, California and friend.

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

57. USDA - Agricultural Marketing Service was represented by:
Brain Wright, John Langenegger, Vernon Burkholder,
Ben Robles, Ricardo Krajewski, Patrick Romero, and Arthur Neal

58. Brainstorming session with Collette Harrell and
Jennifer Samolyk, HOWREY LLP - Washington office…

59. Vernon Parker, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, USDA

60. Dr. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture
Lorette Picciano, Executive Director, Rural Coalition

61. Alicia Rodriguez, Office of Outreach USDA,
Vernon Parker, Assistant Secretary Office of Civil Rights,
Annabelle Romero, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

62. Secretary's Mike Johanns sharing
his Farm Forum experiences…

63. Arnoldo Cantu, President,
Minority Agricultural Producers, Rio Grande Valley, Texas

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

70. History was made in Las Cruces,
New Mexico, on August 2005.
And then…
They entertained themselves…

71. with serenatas…

73. and mariachis…

75. Mariachi Real de Chihuahua

80. A cultural event highlight
a hat-exchange by two famous cowboys…

81. 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"

82. Born in Mercedes, Hidalgo County, Texas, Sept. 22, 1927
At age 17 enlisted in the Navy and serves until 1946
Served in Korea with the Army's 37th Artillery Division
Earned Law degree from St Mary's Univ. in 1952 the same
year he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives
After six terms in Austin, in 1964 he was elected to the US
House of Representatives, were he served for 36 years
Thirteen of those were served as the Chairman of the
Agriculture Committee, successfully leading the way for
the House to passed three successful omnibus farm bills
Those of 1981, 1985, and 1990.
In addition to his many recognitions he is the recipient of
the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest honor Mexico
can bestow on a foreigner…

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

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

88. Hon. Eligio "Kika" De La Garza
Mrs. Cecila "Cicy" Davila, Rancher, Hargill, Texas

90. Lorette Picciano, Executive Director, Rural Coalition
Alex Contreras, Rancher, Sour Lake, Texas
Jennifer Carter, NALHFR Conference Coordinator

91. Jennifer Samolyk with Margie Huerta, Conference's
Mistress of Ceremonies, and Collette Harrell

95. Lorette Picciano, Executive Director, Rural Coalition
Alvin Alston, Farmer, Sumter, South Carolina

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

101. Selma Navarro, HLPANR participant and mother with
Isadora Genesis, baby, San Antonio,TX

102. And they danced the night away….
Margie Huerta, Mistress of Ceremonies
Edward Provencio, HFRA, Inc. Treasurer

103. Conference Host Committee
Paul 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

104. 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

105. 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 atras
se ve la senda que nunca
se ha de volver a pisar.
Caminante no hay camino
se hace camino al andar…
Antonio Machado