This charming family shot is of Celia Avila Tellez and Hilario C. Tellez, with little Joel in the middle.

Joel’s father started growing cotton and vegetables, and began renting and share cropping land in Dona Ana County.

In these early years, women were an important part of the farm’s work force. Joel’s mother, with five children, helped with the farm by having a seasonal vegetable stand, being a homemaker and picking cotton.