Juan Esparza Loera, opinion editor of The Fresno Bee and Vida en el Valle, with ChicanoAlumni Fresno board member Sylvia Aparicio, at the special exhibit presentation on the National Farm Workers Association and the Founding of the United Farm Workers Union presented by El Concilio de Fresno in the Fresno County Library March 1. Photo via ChicanoAlumni Fresno Facebook page.

El Concillo de Fresno, a community-based nonprofit offering a variety of services to support the Hispanic population of the Central Valley, has announced an art exhibit to connect people with the history of the farm labor movement.

The El Concillo De Fresno is bringing an exhibit from the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) titled “The Rise of Farm Worker Hope and Aspirations and the founding of the United Farm Workers Union” to the Fresno County Public Library, 2470 Mariposa St. in Downtown Fresno. It went on display beginning Saturday and runs through March 31.

The opening day featured a reception and a scheduled panel discussion with remarks from key figures in the farm worker movement, and how educational materials can be used or high school instruction.

There was a historical overview of the farm worker labor movement by Dr. Patrick Fontes, a professor of American History and Chicano Studies and public historian for the Fresno County Chicano Archives.

Paul Chavez, chairman of the board of directors for the Cesar Chavez Foundation, offered insights on the NFWA movement and the founding of the United Farm Workers.

The event also included discussions on the state’s ethnic studies model curriculum by Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher from the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools.

“Their sacrifices are woven into our nation’s history, and this collection of historic artifacts and scholarly works pays tribute to their legacy. Despite economic, social, educational, and political challenges, farm workers continue to lead the fight for rights and dignity. We invite the community to engage with this vital history and support the ongoing efforts of farm workers in the 21st century,” a press release stated.