‘Our Stories’ film preview honors Latino community’s role in McHenry County agriculture

Raices Latinas: Agriculture in McHenry County is screening a sneak preview of the documentary “Nuestras Historias (Our Stories)” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St. in Woodstock. A reception with refreshments begins at 5:30 p.m. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. 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 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 documentary film “Nuestras Historias.”

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 film “Nuestras Historias,” with guest speakers to talk about the project, followed by a reception with refreshments and the opportunity for people to learn more about the project. The documentary 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. 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,” said Maggie Rivera, executive director of the Illinois Migrant Council.

This is a free, Spanish/English event, no registration is required. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a reception and refreshments until 6:30 p.m. when the program begins. For more information, email info@raiceslatinasmc.org, Visit raiceslatinasmc.org.