October 13, 2023
National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, is a time to celebrate the rich history, traditions, and cultural diversity of the Hispanic and Latino communities. As recognition month comes to a close, USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area is spotlighting the stories of some of our outstanding Hispanic colleagues who make significant contributions to the agency every day. It is assigned.
Introducing Gloria Anderson. Gloria is a research statistician with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), where she is responsible for planning, conducting, and analyzing agricultural research. Gloria said she has worked at the USDA since 2008 and wanted to grow her career at the USDA after seeing the family-oriented culture and working directly under senior female executives who served as role models. Now it looks like this. Gloria was born and raised in Venezuela. She is very proud of that. For her, Hispanic National Heritage Month is a great reminder of the incredible contributions the Hispanic community has made to the country.
Gloria: “I am proud to represent the entire Hispanic community as well as showcase Venezuelan culture, traditions and values in the workplace. I look forward to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with my family.”
Favorite ways to celebrate Hispanic National Heritage Month: “Participate in cultural events around the metropolitan area”
Heroes of Hispanic National Heritage Month: “Jose M. Hernandez (2004 NASA Astronaut)”
Introducing Carlos Ortiz. Carlos is his national program leader at USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). In this role, Carlos trains the next generation of diverse food and agriculture professionals. Originally a pre-med student, Carlos’ life changed forever after his first exposure to agriculture during a college internship. This internship was funded by the State Cooperative Research, Education, and Extension Service, now USDA NIFA. This experience fueled Carlos’ passion for agricultural science and showed him the endless opportunities within the industry. Carlos now works with universities across the country to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to build a career in agriculture. Carlos is Mexican and his heritage is very important to him. He feels that National Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to showcase the diversity that exists within the Hispanic community: the many foods, cultures, languages, and traditions.
“Food, the long history of traditions, the importance of family, supporting each other, all of those things are things I think about all the time. It reminds us of the challenges ahead, and the opportunities we can take advantage of.”
Favorite ways to celebrate Hispanic National Heritage Month: “I’ll eat them all! My favorite green posole dish is the soup and it’s so delicious.”
Heroes of Hispanic National Heritage Month: “My mother worked hard to provide me with the education and opportunities that laid the foundation for my career.”
Introducing Valerie Negron. Valerie is a public affairs specialist for the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), where he has the exciting job of condensing ERS’s comprehensive research into just 280 characters. Valerie runs her ERS social media accounts and ensures that her findings reach a wide audience. Valerie first discovered her passion for agriculture when she was attending the University of Puerto Rico (Mayagüez). She Valerie is Puerto Rican and she grew up in the mainland United States. She returned to Puerto Rico for her college education, reclaiming her roots, immersing herself in the island’s rich culture, and developing a deeper understanding of the place that shaped her identity. There, she learned firsthand that being Puerto Rican is about more than tradition and the warmth of its people. It also has a deep connection with agriculture. Pathways Through her internship program, she interned at the Department of Agriculture, where she combined her passion for public engagement with her connection to agriculture. For Valerie, National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate the rich and diverse contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities to American culture and society.
“My heritage is not only part of who I am; it is a source of deep pride and leadership that has profoundly shaped my career. It speaks to my commitment to engagement and to preserving and celebrating our culture.”
Favorite ways to celebrate Hispanic National Heritage Month: “I take advantage of every opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of other Latin American countries. Whether it’s watching documentaries or supporting local artists and events, I’m using this month to continue learning and helping our We see it as an opportunity to celebrate our heritage and achievements.”
Heroes of Hispanic National Heritage Month: “My mother, she embodies the values, resilience, and cultural richness that define our heritage. Her unwavering support, dedication to family, and commitment to upholding our traditions have inspired me. It inspires me every day.”
Stock research and science