Farm tour highlights Latino agriculture in McHenry County

MARENGO, Ill. — Raices Latinas, a nonprofit coalition dedicated to promoting the agricultural contributions of Latino and Latine community in McHenry County, will host its second farm tour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The public is invited to tour Rancho El Pitayo at 21909 Grange Road in Marengo, just west of Route 23 and north of the tollway.

Owners Antonio Delgado and his wife, Mary Witt, as well as family members, will guide guests on a tour of their farm during this free, bilingual event.

Antonio will share his experiences as a Latino farm owner in McHenry County — as well as some handmade tortillas.

The couple, which also owns and operates Isabel’s Family Restaurant in Woodstock, purchased the 20-acre farm in 1994. The majority is planted in hay.

However, over five acres is dedicated to a variety of fruits and vegetables — many of which they use at their restaurant.

Crops include tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, 10 varieties of peppers, onions, garlic, Mexican corn, broom corn, guava, figs, apples and a variety of herbs that include Mexican papalo and epazote.

Participants are encouraged to arrive close to 5:30 p.m. to secure on-site parking before the tour begins at 6 p.m. No registration is required for this family event, which also will include refreshments.

For information, email info@raiceslatinasmc.org or visit RaicesLatinasMC.org.