Photo by Celia Roberts

Hotchkiss farmer Mark Waltermier of Thistle Whistle Farm introduces local children to earth worms which are so valuable because they till and fertilize the soil. The photograph is featured in the new ‘Gracias por la Tierra’ 2012 calendar by Celia Roberts.

Roberts dedicates the calendar "to those who work with the land." She writes, "What better way to express our appreciation for these people and their work than to develop supportive relationships with them when we can, buy direct from them when possible and frequent the markets who sell the results of their labor."

Respect for those who work in our nation's farms is a frequent theme of Roberts. Each month of the calendar concisely tells the story of the subject of Roberts' photograph.

"When you get to know how other people eat it brings our cultures together," she says. "Good food nourishes our children and produces healthy generations." Her photo for May shows a row of children enjoying watermelon at a Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program in central Florida. The text reads, "Healthy children become healthy adults. This is made possible when we care for the health of our planet earth, insuring clean air, clean water and fertile soil wherever possible."

Roberts has traveled all over the country and outside our borders taking her photographs which show the beautiful humanity of the farmers and farm workers.

She often learns new things. For example, the photograph for November shows a farmer selling his produce at an outdoor market. He was selling nopales, which Roberts calls "the paddles of a cactus." He scrapes off the needles. Nopales are boiled, grilled or used as an ingredient in many dishes, and they are very nutritious.

"Gracias por la Tierra" was photographed in California, Colorado, Florida, New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Mexico.

Roberts has shot over 500 rolls of film over the last 20 years. She didn't realize when she started taking photographs in 1992 for a National Health Conference in Denver many years ago that she would be hooked on documenting the lives of farm workers. "I can't seem to stop," she said.

Roberts' exhibit that traces the life of a farm worker was shown at the Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss. Just recently, her exhibit was used for a conference in Washington, D.C. put on by the national Office of Head Start. The conference was called "Zero to Five" and it focused on those teachers, administrators and parents of children zero to five which are helped by Migrant Head Start.

Roberts took 40 pieces. "People loved it and I loved doing it."

The conference and exhibit were at a Marriott Hotel. Those who invited the petite Roberts made sure she had a wonderful room to stay in. "I swear you could have had a square dance in that room," Roberts laughs. "It was big. This big king-sized bed. I loved it. I really soaked it up. I had a great view. I felt very privileged and honored to be there."

Roberts believes Head Start is aptly named. "It really has given these kids a head start," she said. "And a lot of these teachers got their start in Head Start and are giving back to the program."

Roberts' exhibit was so well received she has been asked back for next year.

"Gracias por la Tierra" is available at www.celiaroberts.com, by email celia@paonia.com or by phone (970) 527-4457. The calendar is rich in information and images, and very economical. It's a perfect Christmas gift.