CDFA hosts panel discussion for Hispanic Heritage Month

[Link]Pictured from top left to right: Thea Rittenhouse, Farm Equity Advisor; Fred Gomez, Director of Information Technology Services Division; Claudia Vazquez, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division; Eddie Vasquez, Division of Measurement Standards; Sara Garcia, Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation - bottom right, joining on Zoom - Michael Flores, Deputy Secretary; Magally Luque-Williams, PHPPS.

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, CDFA hosted a panel discussion yesterday organized by the agency's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and the Office of Civil Rights. This year's theme, Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together, presented an opportunity for Latino leaders at CDFA to share their experiences.

The event, moderated by CDFA Farm Equity Advisor Thea Rittenhouse, brought together panelists from divisions within the agency. Thea began by recognizing the historical context of National Hispanic Heritage Month, originally established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and expanded by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. She also noted Gov. Gavin Newsom's declaration of Latino Heritage Month in California.

"We're here to celebrate the contributions of our employees," said Thea, acknowledging the diversity within the Latino community. "In Mexico alone, there are 292 languages spoken, and we're proud of the multicultural cultural identities that make up our workforce."

Fred Gomez, CDFA's Agency Information Officer and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services, reflected on his career path and passion for public service. Having joined the state 15 years ago after working as a consultant, Fred emphasized the significance of his team's work in supporting CDFA's mission. "I'm proud to be part of a department that is so integral to California's success," Fred said. "Latinos have been the backbone of many agricultural roles, and we need to continue promoting equity and understanding."

Claudia Vazquez, Environmental Program Manager in the Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division (Pest Exclusion Branch), shared her journey from working in the citrus industry to her current role in pest prevention. Coming from a farming background in the Central Valley, Vazquez noted, "I thought this was going to be a seasonal job, but now I'm 12 years in and still learning. My parents, who worked in agriculture, instilled in me the value of hard work, and I see that in the work we do every day." She also recounted her family's strong commitment to education. "Not going to college wasn't an option; my parents valued it and wanted their children to go to college. Both of my parents worked in agriculture and worked their way up and saw the value of hard work," she noted.

Eddie Vasquez, an Environmental Scientist in the Division of Measurement Standards, spoke about his personal motivation to give back to his community. He was born in Mexico and moved to Mendota, California at the age of 10. Eddie said, "I always wanted to help my community, especially farmworkers who are sometimes overlooked. I'm proud to be able to advocate for vulnerable communities through my work."

Sara Garcia, Technical Assistance Coordinator in the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), highlighted her background in food safety and agricultural education. "Growing up in the Central Valley, I saw firsthand the need for educational programs for farmworkers," Sara said. "It's been incredibly fulfilling to be part of an agency that believes in the mission of serving our constituents." Sara recalled becoming interested in science and graduating from UC Davis, where she studied genetics and obtained her Ph.D. Sara traveled to Rwanda as a Fulbright Scholar to focus on food safety and disease diagnostics.

Magally Luque-Williams, an Environmental Program Manager in the Plant Health Division with 28 years at CDFA, reflected on her journey from Venezuela to working in California's agriculture sector. "Agriculture is the heart of this state, and it's exciting to be a part of it," she said. "Latinos are the face of agriculture, and our community is very diverse-from astronauts to business managers, scientists, and actors. It's important to recognize these contributions."

Michael Flores, Deputy Secretary of Fairs and Expositions, became the first Latino to be appointed to California's Fish and Game Commission and served in numerous state government roles, breaking several barriers. "I was the first in my family to graduate from college." Currently, Michael works to help enhance the fairgrounds and what they bring to their communities. "Fairgrounds are very important to local communities, including during crises, like fires and floods," said Michael.

The panelists also discussed the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month in agriculture, emphasizing the long history and contributions of Latinos to the industry. "Our ancestors have been here for thousands of years, planting and working the land," said Eddie. "California's agricultural success is due in large part to the diversity of its workforce, and I'm proud to be part of an agency that champions that."

As the panel conversation concluded, it was clear that the values of perseverance, family, and education were common threads among the speakers.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the countless ways in which Hispanic Americans have shaped the nation. At CDFA, the contributions of Latino leaders continue to drive innovation, equity, and sustainability in agriculture. As Eddie stated, "We're not just celebrating our culture-we're recognizing the critical role that Latinos play in making California the agricultural powerhouse that it is."

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