Joe Prado is director of the Fresno County Department of Public Health. Before joining the panel for “How Does the Central Valley Harness Its Power?” at Arte Américas, in Fresno, California, he joined us in the green room to chat about seeds, superheroes, and the song he is playing on repeat this summer.
What fictional character do you identify with the most?
The Green Lantern. As a child, I loved comics. I loved reading them. I loved watching animation. With the Green Lantern, it was something very simple, very attainable: you just needed a ring, and you had to be of a certain character to be able to yield the ring. I was like, I can check those boxes! I’m a halfway decent human being, I want to help others, and I have the willpower.
What is your favorite locally grown food here in the San Joaquin Valley?
Strawberries. Growing up, I worked in the fields: with grapes, raisins, oranges, peaches, all this stuff. I love all that fruit, but I do have this little adverse reaction from picking them.
But we never picked strawberries. When I see strawberries, I don’t have any bad memories or trauma.
What is one thing people don’t understand about farmwork?
I don’t know if people really understand what goes into picking fruits and vegetables, and the hands that provide that food to you. It is amazing to know that a family provided food to your family. That connectivity is deep. It’s why I really love fruits and vegetables in my home.
What advice do you have for people who want to do what you do today?
Let’s not get caught up with our own legacy—let’s get caught up with our community’s legacy.
What is your song of the summer?
Stevie B, “Spring Love.”
What’s one thing you would put in a time capsule to explain California today?
Again, going into my farmworker roots: I would provide a seed, something that we could all be nourished from. It looks so insignificant when you first start, but given the right climate, the right love and compassion, the right nutrition, and the right fertilizer, it can grow an entire orchard. California is a leader in this nation and in this world, but it started as a seed, and let’s not forget that. Let’s not forget to continuously nourish and show love and compassion, so we can continue to grow.
What’s one hope you have for California’s future?
California can set the tone in this nation. I would love to see to see California increase its collaboration with other states. Let’s learn from them, and they can learn from us as well. Can you imagine the cool merch we could get every time we did a collaboration with Ohio? Florida? I say merch because we have to show we’re together. Every time we do a collaboration, it’s a monument.
