Last week, the City of Woodland and community partners welcomed a delegation from our Sister City of La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico for four days of activities and cultural exchange. Over twenty delegates from the La Piedad region enjoyed everything Woodland has to offer, from our food and ag economy to unique events like the Yolo Farmworkers Festival and the Stroll Through History.
The Woodland City Council named La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico as its Sister City on February 15, 2005. This designation recognizes that many Woodland residents have family ties to La Piedad, another community with a rich agricultural heritage. Since then, Woodland has worked to strengthen this relationship and celebrate the shared heritage and culture that exists between both cities.
The sister city relationship was reestablished in October 2022 when the City partnered with numerous community members and organizations to host a delegation of over 25 representatives from La Piedad and the region of Michoacán. Delegates visited various governmental, educational, and business-related facilities offering them an opportunity to engage in a variety of topics including micro farming and ranching, public transportation, water treatment and management, and public safety. Connections made during last fall’s visit have resulted in meaningful outcomes, such as the donation of surplus equipment from the Woodland Fire Department to the La Piedad Fire Department and an educational exchange on the topic of Slow Food with several of our local food entrepreneurs.
This past Wednesday, October 4 through Saturday, October 7, a local coordinating committee welcomed another group of delegates and treated them to four days of activities. Highlights included tours of various local facilities, a binational breast cancer awareness walk, special events, and dinners hosted at The HIVE, the Chamber of Commerce’s Farm City Dinner, and at the home of former Woodland Mayor Art Pimentel.
“As the Mayor of the City of Woodland, I am grateful for the collaboration between City of Woodland and the County of Yolo, Woodland Joint Unified School District, Woodland Firefighters Association, Woodland Chamber of Commerce, VisitWoodland, Mexican-American Concilio of Yolo County, Sunrise Rotary, and local Business owners and community members,” said Mayor Vicky Fernandez. “We were able to highlight our rich historical agricultural community and our innovative, sustainable practices throughout Yolo County. Our Sister City Delegates were delighted by the warm welcome they received from elected officials, city and county employees, businesses, teachers, students, and all the wonderful individuals whom they met while visiting Woodland.”
The City of Woodland thanks the many community partners that helped make the visit possible and looks forward to continued engagement with La Piedad.