San Joaquin Valley with Guillermo Ortiz
“The food basket of the world” would make you think there is plenty of food around, right?
The San Joaquin Valley not is home to a large Mexican population, many who harvest the food, but it is also home to UC Merced.
The California school has a high concentration of Latinx youth and is one of the newest in the UC System. It is also the new place where Guillermo Ortiz is working.
Cesar Chavez
During 1960s a gentleman by the name of Cesar Chavez would organize farmworkers across the valley, justice for the workers and their working conditions was at the forefront.
Cesar founded the National Farm Workers Association, which would later become the United Farm Workers union. They mobilize many of the farmworkers, organizing beyond the picket fence to a famous march to Sacramento, the state’s capital.
Working During a Crisis
Often labeled as essential workers, these fathers and mothers, are working to get people food in different conditions. During wild-fires, storms, COVID-19, they are out there.
The food we grow often comes with pesticides or chemicals, and farm workers are exposed to it, day in and day out.
Youth Education
We know that remote areas have a difficult time accessing the internet, even here in the United States, some urban areas still can’t access wifi.
The digital divide can further leave youth behind, especially if the only place their parents can live is next to the farms that they are working at.
Yet, many of these youth persist. They study hard. And make opportunities for themselves. As Guillermo Ortiz states “many of our newly enrolled undergrads are first-generation college students”
Relationships Shift Narrative
As I engaged in a conversation with Guillermo, he shared about a unique event that takes place at UC Merced. Listen in to this episode to find out why I think the event can be a powerful catalyst for environmental and sustainability professionals seeking to build healthy, just, and resilient food systems.
Relationships are what is so key for many of the youth, access to guidance to succeed, beyond undergrad.
Listen in to my conversation with Guillermo to find out some of his thinking, and ideas, as he engages with the youth at UC Merced. It is an incredible opportunity to not only shape opportunities for them, but also engage the community in the San Joaquin Valley.
Guillermo Ortiz
“I think of it as an all hands on deck approach”, Guillermo makes a point for youth that regardless of what career you decide to pick, you have a role to play. Whether you are a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, everyone has a role to play on addressing climate change.
Outside of work, “I like to spend my time connecting with friends and family, especially during Covid-19. Usually, this involves talking about t.v. shows, movies, video games, or music that we enjoy Additionally, I like to get lost in nature by going on hikes or camping trips with friends. Ultimately, I want to bring people together to develop sustainable solutions to the complex environmental, social, and economic issues facing the world today.”
Guillermo is originally from New Jersey and has roots in Puerto Rico. Stay tuned for a future episode on Puerto Rico, and it’s importance in U.S. politics.
While you are here
Hey, Alfredo here. I hope you all are enjoying these conversations. I wanted to let you know that I am going to start using Patreon for the podcast.
My intent with this show is to create content that creates good, by changing the mainstream narrative around climate change.
I would love it if you could be part of my community on Patreon because it will help me continue to generate this content. You will get access to the full conversations, behind the scenes, and maybe even a little gift.
What did you think of the conversation? Why do you think carbon catalyzes or inhibits the change in narrative? I would love to hear below!