Successful Field Day for Latino/a/x Farmers in Hudson Valley
The Latino/a/x farming community gathered for the Second Annual Hudson Valley Area Latinx Farmers’ Field Day on July 15, 2024. The Spanish-language event was hosted at Three Sisters Farm in Kerhonkson, NY, where co-owner José Rodríguez and his family welcomed more than 30 participants. Rodriguez shared his family’s experience of building a farm business, immersing themselves in farming in New York with the same love, hard work and perseverance as they did in their native Mexico.
The educational content was facilitated by the Cornell Small Farms Program’s Futuro en Ag team in collaboration with the Orange County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, and with the support of the New York Soil Health Program. Facilitators from Three Sisters Farm and West Haven Farm focused on how to improve resilience in agriculture, as well as developing and pursuing goals at the level of the individual, the family, the farm, and the business.
Participants saw demonstrations of different technologies and equipment for vegetable production that comprise climate resilient practices for water conservation, mulching, soil health, cover crops, and pest and disease management. Participants learned the importance of doing cost-benefit and market analysis in order to develop sustainable and profitable production systems.
The active participation of the producers and the friendly exchange of experiences and lessons contributed to this welcoming field day. The atmosphere was full of camaraderie and learning. Farmers in attendance exchanged tips and experiences, creating a true community spirit.
The event lasted from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Participants expressed gratitude for being able to learn from the Rodríguez family’s experience, in addition to the formal presentations and informal conversations that took place throughout the field day.
