Our Board:
Name: Luis Alvarado
Address: 4008 Durand Street Apt #6; Metairie, LA 70002
Language: Spanish
Luis Alvarado worked for over 30 years as an educator in rural elementary schools, high schools and universities in his native country of Costa Rica. In this time he implemented school garden programs at various rural schools to promote good nutrition and sustainable organic practices. These gardens also contributed to the establishment of school cafeterias whose stable demand promoted the economic development of these micro-farm enterprises in rural areas.
Luis holds a master degree in Education Administration from the University Pedagógica de Costa Rica. In 2002, Luis retired as University professor in 2006 and moved to New Orleans. As a founding member of the Latino Farmers Cooperative of Louisiana, Luis has served in membership development, logistic management, as community garden coordinator and has developed some of the core values and vision of the organization.
Name: Alberto Zavaleta
Address: 4136 Erato Street; Metaire, LA 70125
Language: Spanish
Alberto has been farming since he was eight years old. He grew up on a 3 acre farm in Santa Ana, El Salvador farming rice, coffee, beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, herbs, onions, carrots, beets, and cucumbers. At the age of 20, Alberto received a hands-on-training from the local army, which centered on sustainable agriculture, poultry production, bee keeping and best-practice farming .
Displaying true entrepreneurial spirit, Alberto had many businesses in El Salvador, from apparel to beauty salons, but, as he describes it, “farming is in [his] blood.” So, he decided to return to agriculture and leased two acres of farmland in Armenia, El Salvador. He increased his expertise even further by attending several training sessions on organic farming. Finally, due to severe economic hardship and persecution Alberto immigrated to New Orleans in 2005 where he lives with his wife Mirna Villalta and his three children Jose Alberto (19), Luis Enrique (18) and Jacqueline Elizabeth (15).
Alberto has been instrumental in sharing his horticultural experience with the coopertive’s members and volunteers. Alberto has served as the voice for many immigrants living in Central City. He has spoken on behalf of the Latino Farmers Cooperative at various local conferences and forums. He also appeared in the Farm Bureau’s market update documentary where the Cooperative and its members were showcased.
Name: Sister Margaret Wood
Address: Holy Angel Convent
Language: English/Spanish
Sister Margaret Wood was born in Tela, Honduras, the third of five children. Her father, who was British, worked for the United Fruit Company. Her mother, from Nicaragua, was a stay-at-home mom. Sister Wood went to the American school until high school, when she attended the Holy Angels Academy boarding school in New Orleans. After high school, she joined the Marianites of the Holy Cross and was educated at the Our Lady of Holy Cross college, earning a BA in Education. She then taught in Louisiana elementary schools while earning a master's degree in education from the Incarnate Word University in San Antonio, Texas. After many years, she decided to change ministries and worked for five years at the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in New Orleans for the Spanish ministry. She then changed ministries again and taught at-risk students from the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital while also getting certification in Special Education. Following that, she worked as Registrar at the community college.
In January, 2008 Sister Wood returned to ministering to elementary school students, but this time at the Esperanza public charter school in Special Education. She started to utilize her skills in special education to minister to Hispanic children. For her work with Esperanza, Sister Margaret Wood has had the honor of being chosen as “Teacher of the Year.”
