To commemorate and celebrate the life and work of labor and civil rights leader César Chávez, the City of Woodland will be hosting a celebration at the Woodland Community & Senior Center at 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 30. Join the City and fellow residents for this annual event that includes a special guest speaker, music, dance performances, and signing to celebrate the life and accomplishments of César Chávez.  

The program begins at 5:00 pm at the Woodland Community & Senior Center and will consist of live singing and dance performances; the keynote speaker for the event will be the President and Chief Executive Office of the Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development (FIELD), David M. Villarino-Gonzalez.¹

During the event, there will be live dancing performed by the Beamer School Ballet Folklórico group, a vocal performance featuring Jimena Izquierdo, and a musical performance by Douglass Middle School’s Mariachi band led by Idbin Acosta. Several local non-profit organizations and resource groups will have outreach tables at the event. Families are encouraged to attend the event so children of all ages can learn about Chávez’s dedication to making life better for those working hard in agriculture.

For additional information about the City of Woodland’s César Chávez Celebration contact the Woodland Community Services Department at (530) 661-2000.

1. Biography of David M. Villarino

David M. Villarino-Gonzalez is the President & CEO of the Farmworkers Institute of Education and Leadership Development (FIELD) and Superintendent of EPIC Charter High School. David began his career working for the labor and civil rights leader César Chávez in San Diego and Boston. In 1978, David organized farmworkers, negotiated contracts, and practiced administrative law as a regional manager for the United Farm Workers.  

David’s most renowned accomplishment has been organizing the agricultural sectors around mutually beneficial programs beginning with strengthening our Agribusiness Region (SOAR), which allowed a UFW rose company’s 1500 workers to share in the gains through higher wages, benefits, and job security. 

(SOAR) Pre-figured FIELD’s full-pledged educational & economic program called Escuela Popular Instituto Campesino (EPIC) de Cesar Chavez. Today FIELD’s EPIC is in 10 counties at 20 campuses that serve over 5,000 farmworkers, immigrants & other credit-certified adult students. FIELD’s core purpose is to “Empower the Underserved to be Self-Sufficient” David is also the son-in-law of César Chávez.