Raleigh, North Carolina — On Friday, October 7th, 2022, mano-Y-ola LLC hosted the 4th Annual Hispanic Farmers and Agricultural Professionals Symposium with 2022’s focus, Climate-Smart Agriculture and Equity. Highlights included a demographics study on Hispanics in agriculture, a pre-filmed silvopasture farm demonstration, panels on forestry and the legacy of Hispanic farmer families, a discussion led by State Conservationists forecasting climate-smart programs and initiatives, student intern presentations, and the report from a Hispanic Forest Landowners Enumeration Study. The Symposium provided a platform for 30 speakers and panelists, including farmers, foresters, landowners, agricultural interns, and Natural Resources Conservation Service professionals. They shared their expertise with 200 attendees across the United States and Puerto Rico. mano-Y-ola's Co-President, Dr. H. Nolo Martínez, observed that the 4th Symposium highlighted the value of Hispanic presence, participation, and influence in United States agriculture. “From young talent to more experienced professionals, from beginning farmers to experts in different agricultural subjects, Hispanic contributions continue to be essential to the success and future growth of the industry.”
During the morning sessions, a panel of Hispanic farmer families, including the Espinosa family, who operate a dairy farm, shared experiences about their farming legacies. Sara Espinosa, an NRCS Soil Conservationist, described participating in the Symposium with her father and brother this way: “Being a part of this event yearly warms my heart and further grows my passion and curiosity for agriculture. Forming part of a panel this year with my family gave me a sense of pride in my country and my family's farm operation. It helped me connect with my roots again after living abroad this past year, and for that, I am thankful.”
The Symposium is held yearly to align with the United States National Hispanic Heritage Month. With mano-Y-ola’s founder and a large percentage of its team members both hailing from Puerto Rico and being agricultural professionals or farmers, mano-Y-ola continues its heritage and motto to “pass it forward” to the next generation of young Hispanic agricultural professionals through Symposia, curriculum, internships, and other endeavors. As of 2022, mano-Y-ola has expanded from agriculture to include research on Hispanic foresters in the United States and is currently working on an outreach network to support these foresters and landowners. For more information on our annual Symposia and to learn more about what we do, visit mano-Y-ola.com or latinofarmersusa.com.
Written by Jessica Roqueburg