By Sandy Dale  As fall approaches, ‘tis the season of great outdoor events across the country. Florence is no exception. It is the 200 Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail and the 150th of the platting of Florence by James McCanless. The history of Florence is filled with stories of how entrepreneurs got rich in gold, oil, and the railroad, […]

 The legacy of Japanese-American farmers in Otero County used to include dozens of families. Today, the Hirakata family runs the only active Japanese-American farm in Otero County.  Hard work, commitment to family, and the importance of education and adapting to new approaches and techniques have always been core values for the Hirakatas.  Tatsunosuke Hirakata was born on June 3, 1870, […]