Gloria Romano-Barrera is new to farm life, experiencing for the first time all of the joys and wonders it brings – like the bugs, wild animals, vultures, strange noises, solitude, and power outages. This is muted when the first spring tulips share their glory and she picks the season’s first tomato off the vine.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY she brings to Hacienda Barrera a background in journalism and art, looking for the beauty and the story of everything she makes and grows. Managing editor for a national publication and writer by trade does not stop her from getting her hands and feet dirty. On a typical day, you’ll find her balancing conference calls with top Fortune 500 executives to starting seeds and tending the farm. Her pottery wheel, easel, brushes, and kiln were collecting dust while she focused on her professional career and motherhood. She is just now dusting off her old tools adding new tools to her arsenal.
Josué M. Barrera is in constant pursuit of a problem and usually creates more challenges than he solves. During the day, you’ll find him running between meetings at the Department of State. In the evenings and on the weekends, he attempts to keep up with the Hacienda. He is not the most mechanically inclined, but that doesn’t stop him from trying – most of the time. Trial and error is his favorite approach and keeps the doctor on speed dial just in case things don’t work out as planned.
He is an active member of the Hispanic Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Alumni Association, is an alumnus of the Aspen Institute’s International Career Advancement Program, and was named one of Huffington Post’s 40 under 40 Latinos in Foreign Affairs – once upon a time.
When the Hacienda and weather allow, you will find him playing trains with Zab, calming himself down at the piano or guitar, or taking his stress out on a golf ball (or perhaps on the golf course).
Zabdiel Josué Barrera is a witty and rambunctious toddler who loves Thomas the Train, Little Einstein, and Blippi. Our little farmer also enjoys cooking and shopping, and if early tendencies of singing (made up songs) and painting (on walls) are any indication – he seems to have an artistic bent of his own.