Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Celia Gould, right, talks about a memorial plaque honoring Armando Orellana, the late director of Idaho's Mexico trade office, during a dedication ceremony June 9. It hangs on the wall of the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho. She is joined by members of Orellana's family.

NAMPA, Idaho — Members of Idaho’s agricultural industry sponsored a bronze plaque honoring Armando Orellana, the long-time director of Idaho’s Mexico trade office, who died in March.

It hangs on the wall of the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho in Nampa.

About 40 people, including Idaho ag leaders, members of Orellana’s family and Mexican dignitaries, attended a ceremony dedicating the plaque June 9.

“I am delighted that everyone saw fit to keep Armando’s presence alive because he was such a big part of our state and our relationships and friendships in Mexico,” said Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Celia Gould.

“We will always hold a dear part for Armando in our hearts and for his family,” Gould said. “Thank you for sharing him with us.”

Orellana directed the Idaho trade office in Mexico from 1994-2016. During his tenure exports of Idaho farm products to that nation soared.

More than $191 million worth of Idaho farm products were sold in Mexico last year, making that country the No. 1 foreign market for Idaho agricultural exports.

“Our exports into Mexico have expanded tremendously,” said Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Director of Commodities Dennis Brower, who worked closely with Orellana.

Brower said Orellana, who previously spent 18 years working for major ag firms in Mexico, had an extensive knowledge of many farm industries and was good at making businesses and farm groups on both sides of the border comfortable with each other

When it comes to Idaho farm exports in recent years, “He’s been an integral part of almost everything that has been done in Mexico,” Brower said.

While Idaho farm businesses that sell products in Mexico did a lot of their own work, Orellana played a major role in helping them get started there, said Laura Johnson, who manages ISDA’s Market Development Division.

“There are so many companies and commodity groups that would really point to all of his hard work as the reason for the business they are doing in Mexico now,” she said.

Brower said Orellana was extremely well liked in Idaho and “he literally became family over the years.”

His brother, Javier Orellana, said Armando had a great fondness in his heart for Idahoans.

“Be assured that he always spoke wonderful things about the warm people that he always found here in Idaho,” he said.

Orellana was instrumental 20 years ago in establishing Idaho’s sister state relationship with Jalisco, Mexico, which led to the building of the cultural center, Johnson said.

Humberto Fuentes, CEO of the cultural center, said the facility has few plaques honoring people.

Farm labor leader Cesar Chavez is one of them, “and now we have Armando,” he said. “We put him in that same category.”

Delgado Ramirez, Mexico’s consul in Idaho, said Orellana’s actions “have improved relations between the state of Idaho and Mexico. Armando will be here forever, not only in mind, but in this plaque.”