The Yolo County Board of Supervisors will consider a resolution at their March 25 meeting acknowledging Cesar Chavez Day, a federal commemorative holiday since 2014. To honor the labor rights activist, Concilio of Yolo County will host a reception at 12:00 p.m. outside of Room B02 to celebrate the the “Land and Labor” Exhibit, which will be displayed inside the Yolo County Administration Building in the Atrium Training Room (B02) from March 19 to March 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The exhibit will feature photos, narratives, posters, artwork and information aimed at raising awareness of the history and culture surrounding land and labor in the region. UC Davis TANA will offer art prints for the first 100 who attend to commemorate the exhibit, with the hope that the exhibit encourages folks across the county to learn more about the land and labor histories in this region.

The special exhibit is presented by Concilio of Yolo County and in partnership with UC Davis Archives and Special Collections, Yolo County Archives, UC Davis Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer (TANA), and community members Elyse Doyle Martinez, Joaquin Galvan Sr., Steven Hiromoto, Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie, NJ Mvondo, and YOLO Academy Curator Adriana Perez with assistance from Adelita Serena. The exhibition is also supported by Dr. Melissa Moreno, Dr. Juliet Maestas, and Former Assemblymember Mariko Yamada.

“Farmworkers and farmworker rights have a long history in Yolo County, and we are proud to acknowledge the impactful legacy of Cesar Chavez,” Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair, Dr. Mary Vixie-Sandy remarked. “We are grateful for the work of UC Davis Library Archives and Special Collections along with Yolo County Archives and Records Center dedicated to this exhibit. Cesar Chavez continues to be an inspirational figure and we are excited to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day and the indispensable work of our farmworker community.”

Cesar Chavez Day acknowledges the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist Chavez on March 31 every year. The City of Davis has been celebrating this since 2000 and in the City of Woodland since 2015.

“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community — and this nation,” Chavez once said, emphasizing the importance of multiculturalism in communities and the workforce.

Chavez saw the diversity firsthand when he visited Yolo County in the 1970’s and 1980s. The “Land and Labor” Exhibit is a way of representing the past and present so everyone can imagine a better future for all people and generations.

“Understanding our cultural history is vital to honoring the contributions of those who came before us and shaping the future for the next generation,” District 5 Supervisor Angel Barajas stated. “I was inspired by my peers and our community when we worked together to bring the first Cesar Chavez Celebration to Woodland, and I am grateful to now support this cause at the Board level alongside stakeholders and colleagues who share a deep connection to Chavez’s legacy. His commitment to justice and the empowerment of farmworkers continues to resonate in Yolo County, and this exhibit is a powerful reminder of that impact.”

“The Yolo County Archives appreciates the opportunity to provide reproductions of photographs, newspaper articles, and documents from the Yolo County Archives collections in this exhibit,” Yolo County Archives and Records Center Coordinator, Heather Lanctot, explained. “It is a wonderful opportunity to help raise awareness of the stories and histories of Yolo County communities who have been stewards of, and worked on, the land.”