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Since childhood, Magdalena Barrios has dreamed of having her own farm and running her own livestock business. Through years of hard work, she is now living the life she always wanted.
Magdalena and her husband, Vicente Acevedo, own land outside of Lexington, Nebraska. Even when they were first starting, the couple went above and beyond to tend to their tiny herd of cattle, and their dedication did not go unnoticed.
“Years ago, a neighbor would pass by our house every day and watch us gather grass from the stream to feed our few cows that we had at that time,” Magdalena said. “As time went by, we became great friends, and my husband and I helped him and his wife on his farm and with his livestock.”
Realizing the time, effort, and sacrifice that Magdalena and her husband put in to maintain their livestock, their neighbor offered to sell them his farm since he was planning to retire soon.
Magdalena received assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) including farm loans for her alfalfa crop and pasture, as well as information on programs for which she qualifies.
“I have had the opportunity to work with great people in the USDA offices,” she said. “They have given me their support and trust to move forward. Our neighbor and his wife helped us a lot too, and we will always be eternally grateful to them and USDA for giving us the opportunity to be ranchers.”
Though she’s had positive experiences working with USDA, she also wishes they offered English and bilingual informational meetings on how to receive help from the organization and what steps people should follow to start their own farms.
“I would also recommend having staff who are dedicated to guiding people in ways that support them feeling more confident about how to start their business,” Magdalena said.
On top of running their operation, Magdalena and her husband hold full-time jobs. They have worked at Tyson Foods for 28 and 22 years, respectively. At the end of their shifts, they go to work on their farm and take care of their livestock.
“In our agricultural operation, we are dedicated to growing alfalfa and pasture for the maintenance of our own livestock,” Magdalena said. “Growing alfalfa and grass was the right investment to continue expanding our business and profits over time.”
She sells cattle at livestock auctions, though it took some time to find a place that was the right fit for her needs.
“I have been selling our cattle at the Broken Bow Livestock auction for several years now,” she said. “We have realized that today racism/discrimination against Hispanics and people of color still exists in some auctions in our surroundings. We have chosen to go only to Broken Bow, where our cattle have been paid fairly for their value.”
She shares her experiences in hopes that other beginning farmers learn from the situations she’s had to navigate.
“I wish I would’ve known the best time and place to sell my cattle to make the best profits,” she said. “To young people who want to start their own farm or ranch, be aware that it is seven days a week of work, effort, and dedication.”
Eventually, Magdalena hopes to buy land currently owned by another close neighbor so she can expand her operations and add more cattle. She is currently talking with that neighbor and looking into financing options from USDA.
Recently, Magdalena was highlighted as an example to inspire and educate Latino beginning farmers.
This Center for Rural Affairs case study series showcases three Latino farmers in Nebraska, including Magdalena. The series documents how they run their operations, what they produce, and lessons they have learned. The Center has been able to assist by providing resources and training opportunities.
Lucia Schulz, community organizing associate with the Center, has worked with each of the farmers. She says each has a different way of running their operations, and their different styles of approaching, managing, and levels of experience make each of them worthy of being showcased.
“Magdalena is a passionate, business-driven farmer who is ultra-focused on providing quality products,” Lucia said. “She loves farming, caring for her land, and providing a legacy to her children.”
To learn more about Magdalena, view our case study.
