‘Our Stories’: Film honors Latino community’s role in McHenry County agriculture

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Raices Latinas: Agriculture in McHenry County is screening a sneak preview of the documentary, “Nuestras Historias,” on March 31 at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren Street, Woodstock.

A reception with refreshments begins at 5:30 pm. The program begins at 6:30 pm. Free, no registration is required.

“We have been collecting people’s stories over the past two years. We want to share some of the stories at this event and will be showing exclusive footage that highlights one of those storytellers,” said Sheri Doyel, with the Carey Center for Agrarian Learning, a project partner.

“This documentary is a work in progress and we are excited to let the community know what we have been doing. We want to bring people’s stories to light, of how they came to live and work in McHenry County.”

Raices Latinas: Agriculture in McHenry County’s mission is to honor the valuable contributions of the Latino community to McHenry County’s rich agricultural history through education, collaboration, storytelling and celebratory events.

The stories will be collected and presented to the public through an exhibit at the McHenry County Historical Society, as well as traveling exhibits and the “Nuestras Historias” documentary.

Five organizations are involved in the Raices Latinas project, including the Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project, Illinois Migrant Council, McHenry County Historical Society & Museum, the Carey Center for Agrarian Learning at McHenry County College, and The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

The event will feature a short preview of the documentary, with guest speakers to talk about the project, followed by the reception and the opportunity for people to learn more about the project. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Raices Latinas will fill the void of long-overdue attention to the contributions of Latino farmworkers in the county going as far back as the late 1800s.

“Farmworkers are one of the most vulnerable populations in Illinois and have been on the front line of workers keeping the food chain going, from times of war to times of pandemic,” said Maggie Rivera, executive director of the Illinois Migrant Council.

“Bringing the stories of Latino farmworkers and farm owners to light will only enrich local history and tell the full story of the current state of agriculture in the area.”

For more information, email info@raiceslatinasmc.org.