The Regional Director for Agriculture stated in California that agriculture is part of the DNA of Azoreans wherever they are, highlighting the contribution of Azorean emigrants or Azorean descendants to the development of this sector in the USA. 
 
“As an Azorean, it is a great pride to see that so many emigrants or descendants of Azoreans have managed to thrive in this country, especially in a sector with great tradition and economic importance in the Azores, so dare I say that agriculture is part of the DNA of the Azoreans wherever they are,” said José Élio Ventura. 

The Regional Director spoke on the sidelines of a breakfast with about 700 farmers on the last day of the World Ag Expo; among them, two hundred are Azoreans or Azorean descendants.

According to José Élio Ventura, this example of entrepreneurship, resilience and tenacity should be disseminated in the archipelago as it is an important stimulus to continue following a path of progress and to show that barriers can be overcome with hard work and dedication.

“Certainly, these emigrant farmers have faced several challenges to get to where they are today, but they have never lowered their arms, showing what the Azoreans are made of,” said the Regional Director. During his trip to California, he visited several stands at that important agricultural fair and made contact with many farmers.

In this context, he stressed the importance of this visit to the USA for “the sharing of experiences on what we have in common and for the opportunity to bring a little of the Azores, their history, their development and the challenges that lie ahead in the agricultural sector." 

“I am sure that wherever there are Azoreans, they carry in their hearts and in their minds the appreciation for the Azores and that is enough to keep the culture and regional traditions alive,” said José Élio Ventura.