McAllen to Host 2020 National Farmworker Conference
Written by admin, Nov 21, 2019, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
The City of McAllen and MAFO leaders announced a partnership to host the national farmworker conference on April 26-29, 2020 in McAllen. Over 400 delegates from around the state and nation are expected to convene in McAllen for the conference.
“MAFO is a national partnership of farmworker and rural organizations and we are grateful for the partnership with the City of McAllen and excited about the opportunity to host our conference in McAllen,” says Lupe Martinez, Chairman of MAFO. “Conference delegates will include farmworker serving agencies, non-profits, farm owners and ranchers, advocates, health, housing, education and rural development experts, local, state and federal agency representatives, as well as local, state and federal elected officials.”
“The City of McAllen is proud to host the 31st annual MAFO conference. This organization has done much to promote the issues important to farmworkers, many of which come from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “Federal issues and legislation, with regional and local implications, which impact farmworkers everywhere, will be addressed during the conference. We are proud to be a part of the rich MAFO history, which began here in the Rio Grande Valley, as well as now a part of its future, helping to advance issues important to farmworkers and to create awareness of the importance of the agricultural industry.”
The agricultural/ranching industry is a vital contributor to Texas’ state economy, specifically in the Rio Grande Valley. The Rio Grande Valley has been and continues to be a vital source of migrant farmworker labor for the Midwest and northern states. Migrant farmworkers are valuable contributors to the success of the agricultural and ranching sectors across the country.
“As a former migrant farmworker, I am pleased the MAFO Annual Conference will return to McAllen in 2020. Now, more than ever, we have to address the serious issues impacting our farmworkers and migrant families. I look forward to hearing from our farmworkers about their concerns and needs. Moreover, I am eager to learn more about the opportunities available to improve farmworkers’ quality of life,” said Texas Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-20.
“The last MAFO conference held in McAllen was in 2014,” says Lalo Zavala, CEO. “Thanks to our partnership with the City of McAllen, we will return in 2020.”
