Councilman Elvis Maldonado recognized honorees at the Annual Farmworker Week Celebration, hosted by the Farmworker Career Development Program of Miami-Dade County. This year’s celebration took place November 20, 2014 at the South Dade Skills Center and highlighted the faces of agriculture.
The few hundred guests in attendance, among them Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough, enjoyed the luncheon sponsored by Mexican-American Council, Inc. and South Dade Educational Center. The celebration was hosted by Chef Pepin, TV personality, and Maria Garza, Director of the Farmworker Career Development Project. When it came time for special awards presentations to farmworker pioneers from the South Dade community, Councilman Maldonado lead the way.
“Here in Homestead we’re so lucky to have a strong and dedicated community of agricultural leaders,” said Councilman Maldonado. “They have been a huge part of our success and keep contributing to the future of our region.”
First honored was Mrs. Peggy Jim Osceola from the Miccosukee Nation. She and her family were recognized as one of the former farmworker families that worked in South Dade from the 1940s to the late 1960s. Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Irene Middlebrooks were also recognized for their success and their leadership as the only African-American farmers involved in South Dade agriculture.
Additionally honored was Mrs. Lucia Davis-Raiford, Director Community Action and Human Services Department of Miami Dade County—recognized for decades of unwavering support of the migrant farmworker community in Miami Dade County. Mr. Robert Gornto, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Adult, Career, and Community Schools, was similarly recognized for his unwavering support of the adult migrant farmworker community in Miami Dade County.