What does it mean to take up space?
For Marcella Juarez, that question is tied to land that has been in her family for more than 160 years—land she is now using to grow food for her community.
It’s also tied to her own place in agriculture, where she is still learning to take up space as a Mexican-American woman.
But as our conversation continues, the question gets bigger.
Who gets to farm? Where does the food go? Who gets to stay on the land?
And what does any of this have to do with public health?
Meet Marcella Juarez, MS ✨
Marcella (Mar-say-ya) Juarez, MS, is an innovator, local farmer/rancher, and 12th-generation Tejana (te-ha-na) working to build a local food system in Laredo, Texas. After witnessing food insecurity in her community, she dedicated her life to using the ranch that has been in her family for over 160 years to provide Laredo with fresh, local, and healthy food. Marcella co-founded Palo Blanco Farm & Ranch with her family, and together they steward the land and grow food sustainably. Their work aims to better the health of the local environment, community, and economy. Her favorite part of her work is reconnecting with the land, representing young BIPOC farmers, and leading by example.
Marcella holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Education with a specialization in hydroponics and sustainable agriculture and has experience in USDA-certified organic and commercial hydroponic production systems. Born and raised in Laredo, she brings a deeply place-based perspective to food systems work, centering health, economic opportunity, and sustainability. Her work demonstrates how local production can reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, support community well-being, and contribute to a more self-reliant and equitable food system.
Conversation Highlights 🎙️
- What it means for Marcella to take up space as a young Mexican-American woman in agriculture.
- Returning to land that has been in her family for more than 160 years—and putting it back into food production.
- Why 100% of the food produced by Palo Blanco Farm & Ranch stays in the Laredo community.
- How fresh food, clean water, healthy soil, and a healthy environment connect agriculture to public health.
- Marcella’s vision for a stronger local food system where farmers and ranchers can earn a living, communities have access to healthy food, and land is cared for.
“We are making the space. We are taking up that space.” — Marcella Juarez, MS
Stay in Touch 🔗
With Marcella Juarez, MS at Palo Blanco Farm & Ranch
Facebook ↗: https://www.facebook.com/PaloBlancoFarmandRanch/
Instagram ↗: https://www.instagram.com/paloblancofarmandranch/
Website ↗: PaloBlancoFarmAndRanch.com
Linktr.ee ↗: https://linktr.ee/paloblanco
With Dr. Kristi McClamroch
LinkedIn ↗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch
Follow for weekly reflections on courage and leadership ↗: http://eepurl.com/jcgQv6
Speaking & Leadership Development 🤝
Dr. Kristi McClamroch partners with organizations navigating complexity through keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development.
Her work helps leaders better understand themselves, one another, and the conditions that shape what’s possible.
To explore speaking or consulting opportunities, connect on LinkedIn ↗ or visit Courageous Public Health ↗