Know Your Network is a podcast highlighting the voices and perspectives of young professionals.

This episode is focused on Agricultural Advocacy, which is broadly defined as working to represent the interests, aims and policy needs through grassroots organizing, public relations, and strategic engagement with government representatives.

Our guests today are Billy Hackett and Vanessa García Polanco. Billy and Vanessa met during pandemic-area Zoom meetings collaborating on agricultural advocacy initiatives.

• Billy Hackett is originally from Florida and studied Political Science and International Studies with a Latin America focus. He started his career and passion for agricultural advocacy organizing in solidarity with migrant farm workers. Billy continues to build his career as an advocate for a sustainable food system which creates fair opportunities for farmers and workers, feeds families, and restores vibrancy to rural communities. He now works as a Policy Specialist for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
• Vanessa García Polanco grew up in the Dominican Republic and studied Environmental and Natural Resource Economics before getting a Masters in Community Food and Agricultural Systems. She has held various roles in food, agriculture and sustainability, including a Rhode Island state-appointed position, a research fellow, and now the Director of Government Relations for the National Young Farmers Coalition.

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