Recognizing the Fundamental Agricultural Contributions of Asian Immigrants in Santa Clara Valley
Celebrating the Immigrant Farmer Experience
Growing AgriCultural Roots in East Side San José is a multi-phase, storytelling and recognition project that will uncover and highlight the stories and early contributions of Asian immigrants to the agricultural industry in Santa Clara County. This project is supported by the County Board of Supervisors through the Historic Grant Program whose goal is to celebrate and acknowledge the histories and untold stories of underrepresented communities within the region.
Countering the “American Agrarian Ideal”
When we think of Santa Clara County’s history, we are often brought back to the prevailing narrative of the “Valley of Heart’s Delight,” a region of pastoral settings, flowering orchards, and lush landscapes set around the narrative of the European immigrant farmer. However, this narrative does not fully depict a well-rounded history of early agriculture in the County. Much of this industry’s growth continues to rely on the contributions of Asian immigrants—their early stories often untold and unseen.
Growing AgriCultural Roots in East Side San José will address the historical need for public sites to celebrate the collective contributions and heritage of Asian immigrants. The first phase of this project will focus particularly on the stories of Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino farm communities. Documentation and research will be gathered academically and through interviews and storytelling circles hosted by cultural community partners. Community members will be invited to share first-person narratives, photos, and artifacts that will later be interpreted and memorialized into signs placed around the Veggielution Community Farm.
Project Timeline
December 1, 2020 - February 28, 2021
Work with community organizations to plan for Veggielution story gathering events on the farm and digitally
March 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021
Conduct First Saturday programming to include community engagement and storytelling activities with partner organizations
December 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022
Design phase of educational & wayfinding signage for Veggielution
April 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022
Complete and launch installation of signage
Farm Stand Mural
Roan Victor is a fine art painter, muralist, youth arts educator and owner of an art shop/studio located in San Jose, Ca. called The Arsenal SJ.
Lush foliage, textile patterns and figures in passive poses are common subject matters in Roan’s paintings. Her recent works, in watercolor and gouache, explore the dichotomy of strength and vulnerability presented in a delicate balance. Visually, her paintings are rendered in detail and thoughtful intricacies mixed with the contrast of bold, decisive strokes and use of color. These also reflect in her murals and oversized paintings, the same elements painted larger than life.
