ROOTED IN THE VALLEY: The Hagopians escaped the Armenian Genocide to thrive in the San Joaquin Valley

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Richard Hagopian’s family was one of thousands that escaped the Armenian Genocide in the early 1900s and forged a new path in the fertile San Joaquin Valley.

It wasn’t an easy life, especially after his father died, leaving Richard the man of the family while still in his teens. But hard work, a successful music career and a beloved family restaurant in Visalia, sustained the family and built a future for new generations.

Now in his 80s, Richard has come back to farming. Whether his sons will keep it going is up to them. “I can’t tell the future,” he said.

Thank you to SJV Water donors and the James B. McClatchy Foundation for supporting our work.

* This is the fifth in SJV Water’s series of videos called “Rooted in the Valley,” featuring small family farmers who continue to work the land in spite of all the challenges they face – especially water.

See previous videos here:

PAUL LEE – He is second-generation Hmong farmer working to keep his parents’ legacy alive.

WILL SCOTT – He’s working to instill the love and mission of farming in young Black people.

LISET GARCIA – An injury brought her back to Reedley where farming helped her heal.

HARRY BRAR – From India to Selma, farming is a way of life.

ROOTED IN THE VALLEY: The Hagopians escaped the Armenian Genocide to thrive in the San Joaquin Valley

See previous videos here:

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