Cultural Crossroads: Where Food Meets History. A Multimedia Exhibit Exploring the roots flavors, and stories that connect us.

Round Table on Wheels: Getting to Know California’s Central Valley

Coordinated by May Lee & Gepao Lor

Learning about rice farming in Merced County by Southeast Asian communities

In Merced, many Southeast Asian farmers, especially Hmong families, grow rice. Most of the Hmong rice farmers get their seeds directly from Laos. Planting usually starts in late April or early May, depending on the weather, and harvest occurs in late October or November.

Unlike in Laos, where rice farming was crucial for feeding their families, Hmong farmers in Merced mainly grow rice for reasons other than eating. Instead, they view farming as a way to stay active, reduce stress, find peace of mind, and feel connected to their community.

Besides rice farming, there’s a well-established community garden located east of Highway 140 toward Planada. This garden serves as a gathering spot where small groups of families meet almost daily. Families grow various vegetables and seasonal crops based on their preferences. During the farm tour, we’ll learn more about the specific crops cultivated and the cultural significance of this shared gardening practice.

Lunch will be at noon at Lee Farm, E. 140, Merced, CA.

San Joaquin River Parkway https://riverparkway.org 11605 Old Friant Road, Fresno, CA 93730

Cultural Kitchen: Honoring Our Roots Through Food and Story

The cultural kitchen, a PVI staple, has become a central gathering place for people to enjoy authentic indigenous dishes made by immigrant grassroots chefs who have kept alive the culinary knowledge of their mothers, grandmothers, and women from their hometowns. This is not just a place to enjoy homemade food but also a chance to hear the stories of immigrants and refugees reclaiming their cultural traditions and opening their doors for others to learn about them and share a piece of their heritage.

Chefs: Nu’u Yavi Collective (Oaxaca), Rita Cruz Robles (Michoacan). Lily Seilee (Lao and Hmong), Carmen Moreno (Native American), Dalia Kheerder (Iraq), Mrs. Fariba Mir Abbas (Afghanistan)

Music by ARPEX

Arpex is a musical group founded in 2001 in Atwater, California, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the music of the Arpa Grande in both its traditional and modern styles (Arpa Calenteño). Their first album, Esto sí es Arpa (2003), marked the start of a journey that led them to collaborate with Daniel Sheehy, director of Smithsonian Folkways, in 2004 to record Music from the Hotlands of Michoacán. Since then, they have released five albums, establishing themselves as leading voices in this genre. After 24 years of development, the group currently consists of: Violin 1: Víctor Mendoza, Violin 2: Javier Valdovinos, Harp: Miguel Prado (founder, director, and producer), Vihuela: José Arturo Mendoza, Fifth Guitar: Alfredo Díaz Valencia. In addition to their main roles, the members also play various instruments in the modern style of the Arpa Calenteño, a tradition led from its beginning by founder, director, and producer Miguel Prado.

Flower arrangement by Liset Garcia, Sweet Girl Farms

A Traditional Oaxacan Breakfast

The Nu’u Yavi Collective: Cocina con Raíces Indígenas

Interactive mural – All Day

By emerging artist Saul Gonzalez

TaMeJavi

Farmers Market Organized by Community Alliance for Family Farmers (CAFF)

Join us as we honor and center the incredible people who feed us and the fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs they tend for their livelihoods and to maintain their cultural traditions and foodways. All fresh products that will be provided are grown right in the heart of the Central San Joaquin Valley by farmers who are often under-represented or overlooked in our food and agricultural systems. Attendees will not only be able to partake in the wonderful bounty, but will also have an opportunity to connect directly with farmers through conversations, as well as oral and visual storytelling.

Opening Ceremony

Welcome, Dr. Angel Reyna, President of Madera Community College and PVI

Poem by Devoya Mayo, Devoya is a steady presence—radiating warmth, wisdom, and a quiet brilliance that draws people in. As host of Pan Valley Institute’s Salt of The Earth podcast she weaves thoughtful commentary, memory making, and civic care into every episode, guided by the West African Adinkra concept and symbol Eban (safety, security, shelter). Her voice is a soft landing for stories that matter.

Keynote speaker, Mas Masumoto, an organic farmer and award-winning author of fifteen books, including the acclaimed Epitaph for a Peach, Secret Harvests, and Shadow Music.

We use the Spanish term plática (dialogue) because it reflects the format of these sessions. Experts may be invited to give a brief presentation on the topic of the plática to stimulate conversation; if experts aren’t involved, we start with a theme, and a facilitator leads the discussion with problem-posing questions or prompts to guide the dialogue. The goal is for these conversations to lead to action or the formation of new networks, and for relationships to develop. Pláticas can be part of an event or standalone community dialogues. We believe that now more than ever, creating spaces to build solidarity and reimagine a world of climate and economic justice is essential.

We are still planning the platicas. If you’re interested in facilitating or giving a presentation to encourage dialogue, please contact panvalleyinstitute@afsc.org.

In these pláticas, participants will have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations about how the agricultural industry contributes to climate change, what climate change looks like in this region, and strategies for addressing its impact and building climate justice.

• Climate Change in the Agroindustry

• Does agroindustry contribute to climate change?

• Is climate change reshaping the agricultural landscape?

• Impact of Climate Change in the Central Valley

• Heat Waves

• Water Drought

• Air Quality

• Land Degradation

• The Effect of Climate Change on the Health of Farmworkers.

Cultivating climate justice starts with addressing the unequal effects of climate change and recognizing that vulnerable populations, such as farmworkers, are the most impacted.

• Sharing strategies for promoting climate justice
• Advocacy tools and strategies to improve farmworkers’ working conditions
• Reconnecting with the land: Honoring Indigenous ecological knowledge
• Sustainable farming practices: Regenerative agriculture

Sustainable Textiles

Leticia Corona

Zapoteco Weavers https://thezapotecweavers.com

High Touch Communications in a High Tech Age

Hosted by Sandy Close, Executive Director American Community Media

Cultivating New Economic Food Systems.

• Solidarity Economy and Sustainable Food Economy.

• Challenging the agroindustry’s dependence on low wages.

   

  • Farmer to Farmer and Farmworker Knowledge Sharing

• How economic pressure and sluggish business growth impact entrepreneurs in the food industry.
• Economic Mobility: Opportunities and Challenges: Nu’u Yavi.

Reclaiming indigenous foodways

Honoring the Spirit of Agave

Fabiola Santiago Mi Oaxaca

Addressing Food Deserts in the Central Valley and Creating Accessible Healthy Food Markets

• Land Access.
• Agriculture Indigenous Knowledge:
• Uplifting the contributions of those who work the land—small farmers and farmworkers.

Narsiso Martinez, Saul Gonzalez – other artists to be confirm.

This space will be designated to programs and organizations that provide various resources to small farmers and food entrepreneurs.

• CAFF
• Feed the Hunger

“My Relationship with America” is a powerful piece of political theatre, examining the common intersection of what multiple disenfranchised ethnic groups have faced historically and currently with America as a country, a concept and an institution. Created and performed by the ArteVism collective, the piece encourages performers and audience members to raise their voices and speak out about society’s history and current realities.

Rey León is the mayor of Huron, California and the founder and executive director of The LEAP Institute (Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy), a valley-based Latino nonprofit organization. He was born in Fresno and raised in the Huron area. Currently based in Fresno County, he focuses on economic, environmental, transportation and climate justice, clean energy, green jobs, and community development.