According to Francisco Espinoza of the Agricultural Business Enhancement Center, the Farmworker Agencies Liaison Communication and Outreach Network (FALCON), the annual FALCON spring retreat and workshop was a complete success, gathering more than 65 individuals that deal with migrants in Ohio.

The event was held March 12, 2009 at St. Wendelin Parish in Fostoria, Ohio. Speakers included: Espinoza, Benito Lucio, Beatriz Maya of FLOC, María Cruz-Lucio, David Pennington of the Ohio Farm Bureau, and grower Jon Branstrator. 

Benito Lucio informed La Prensa that: “After twenty five years at my job...and reflecting on the audience participation and the partnerships of all the agencies, growers and advocates, we have come a long ways in

Benito Lucio

providing services to the farmworker population as well as advocating for the Hispanic Community, to have this type of orientation where you can find out about the services being provided, the labor-law updates, the contacts of agencies, and the literature.

“All communities can learn from the FALCON group and it leadership in putting together this annual orientations; it adds true meaning to the true value of working together.

“My thanks to the FALCON members and Francisco Espinoza for the leadership as well as our hard working ODJFS veteran Staff, María Glyda, Santos Celestino, Alicia Alafa, Alma Gutiérrez, Mary Zapata, and their supervisor María Cruz Lucio.”

 
Francisco Espinoza