Carlene Thissen

Carlene Thissen: This lecture, based on a sequel-in-progress to Immokalee's Fields of Hope, briefly reviews Immokalee’s early history and that of its immigrants and takes us on a journey up to 2023. Much of the program covers changes that have occurred in agriculture; career changes in crew leader families; and the emergence of second, third and fourth generation Americans in Immokalee’s population, many of whom never work in agriculture. The lecture focuses on on-agricultural jobs, children of farm workers who have graduated college and returned to work in their hometown; the impact of Immokalee high school sports; and the success stories of non-profit organizations who help. $32, $27 for members