New Exhibit Showcases Untold Stories of Yolo County’s Agricultural Labor History

WOODLAND, Calif. — A newly opened exhibit titled “Land and Labor” is celebrating the history of agricultural labor in Yolo County, with a focus on Wintun Homeland. The display, running until March 26, is hosted in the Atrium Room of the Yolo County Administration Building and features photographs, art, and narratives illustrating the contributions of various communities.

The exhibit, curated by the ES YOLO Academy and its partners, showcases a photograph of the Yolo tomato strike of 1974 taken by the late Xuy Layba, along with commemorative pieces related to local agricultural history. “In this time in history, this exhibit provides only a glimpse into Yolo County’s past and present communities,” said Professor Melissa Moreno, who organized the exhibit.

Moreno emphasized the diversity of voices featured in the display, which includes creative expressions of community histories encompassing the Wintun-Patwin homeland, contributions from capay black farmers, and the impacts of the Bracero Program. The exhibit also highlights significant events such as the 1970s tomato strike and the Delano March.

“This exhibit aims to highlight the diversity of voices, themes, and resilience of communities in the past and present,” Moreno added. “It showcases the labor that has created the foundations for today’s communities in Yolo County.” The exhibit includes a California Aggie article from November 11, 1974, titled “Farmworkers Halt Tomato Harvest,” which documents the historical context of labor movements in the area.

On opening day, organizers hosted a circle to set intentions for the exhibit’s purpose, aiming to educate the public on agricultural labor history. A resolution recognizing César Chávez Day is scheduled before the Yolo County Board of Supervisors on March 27, with a reception held by the Concilio that supports local scholarships.

Moreno and other community advocates are also pushing for a physical space that would allow for a permanent exhibit of this historical collection. Their initiative follows a December resolution that acknowledged Yolo County Braceros and their descendants. “We are collecting names of support for a permanent home that represents a broader history, one that includes the original people as well,” Moreno explained.

The Land and Labor exhibit will remain open Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a closing ceremony set for March 26 at 2:15 p.m. Residents are encouraged to visit and engage with the rich history of agricultural labor in their community.