Pan Valley Institute presents Salt of the Earth

Land Stewardship and Food Wisdom Across Migration.

SOE-logo-color

Did you know?

Did you know that there were 10 industries in California that featured almost a quarter percent participation rate from noncitizens? These included agriculture (59%); forestry, fishing, and hunting (53%); landscaping (50%); animal production and aquaculture (48%); animal slaughtering and processing (32%); construction (27%); building services (26%); traveler accommodation (24%); restaurants and food services (24%); warehousing and storage (23%).

UC Merced

Did you know that immigrants represented 6.1 million of labor force employed, around 1 in every 3 workers, in the state of California in 2023?

California Budget and Policy Center

Did you know that in June 2025, immigrants made up 19% of the U.S. labor work force? There was a decrease of 1% and 750,000 workers in the 6 months between January and June of 2025

Pew Research Center

About 40% of California’s small businesses are owned by immigrants; nearly 11% of those are owned by undocumented immigrants.

UC Merced

The time is NOW

Data doesn’t lie. There are many reasons why we felt it was important to create this campaign, specifically for residents of California’s Central Valley. And there are even more reasons why we felt the time to do it was NOW.

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Members of the PVI team, and some of our friends and partners, explain what this campaign means to us.

“This campaign is important because we can feel and embody hope, joy, strength, and power when we see our collective stories of solidarity and collaboration, especially with the land, water, foods, and more. This matters right now because we must recognize that we are all connected and need one another to move toward thriving, feeling free and whole.”

tsim+nuj vang

“As the Central Valley faces growing environmental and economic challenges, the Salt of the Earth Campaign reminds us that the solutions are rooted in the knowledge, cultures, and lived experiences of the people who have stewarded this land for generations. By bringing people together to learn, share stories, and take collective action, the campaign inspires communities to build a more just, resilient, and sustainable future.”

Estela Galvan

PVI Coordinator

The “Salt of the Earth” campaign emphasizes the vital role of immigrants and people of color in California’s Central Valley agroindustry. It’s crucial to recognize that they are the foundation of this multimillion-dollar economy. The mistaken belief that farmwork is unskilled overlooks the skills, land expertise, and stewardship contributed by farmworkers, small farmers, and food entrepreneurs to the region’s food system.

Myrna Martinez Nateras

PVI Founding Program Director

“As someone from an immigrant community, I see this moment as an opportunity to share stories that are too often unheard. At a time when negative narratives about immigrants are growing louder, it is more important than ever to uplift the truth: immigrants, indigenous peoples, and farmworkers are not only the backbone of our food system—they are part of the Central Valley’s history and the heart of its future.”

Minerva Mendoza

PVI Coordinator

“The Salt of the Earth Campaign” brings to light and gives voice to the story of those who grow, harvest, and produce food for our local communities and deserve to be recognized, honored and celebrated in all ways possible. While it is common for agricultural workers and their communities in rural areas to be left out of the conversation or “left behind”, this Campaign seeks to celebrate and give recognition to the knowledge and strength of these individuals as well as contribute to changing the narrative which often makes them invisible. Storytelling has many forms of expression and can bring people together, keep the past alive through memories, and promote collective action to create a better future for everyone.”

Joshua Slack

PVI Cultural Organizer

Ways to Get Involved

There are many ways to support the Salt of the Earth Campaign

and contribute to building food, land, and climate justice in the Central Valley

Let’s Talk

E: PanValleyInstitute@afsc.org

P: 559-222-7678

Follow us on social media @panvalleyinstitute