Araceli Baez

Araceli Baez has been part of the Northfield community for more than 15 years. She is originally from the small town of Ojo Zarco, Aguascalientes, Mexico where she grew up watching her dad raise cattle, sheep and rabbits. Her family also cultivated large plantations of alfalfa, corn and potato. Araceli grows with Ana, Arturo and Vicky, who have all lived in Minnesota for over 20 years, but are originally from Maltrata, Veracruz, Mexico. They too grew up on small family farms and is a livelihood they have missed. Araceli, Ana, Arturo and Vicky have farmed at Sharing Our Roots Farm for the past four years.

Together, they grow many cultural vegetables like garlic, cilantro, jalapenos, and tomatoes to feed their families and share with neighbors. In fact, it was conversations with their group about land access needs back in 2019 that led to the launching of our Commons Cohort, an effort that now supports more than a dozen farmers at the Sharing Our Roots Farm.