Soul of Rurality

IICA’s recognition of the Leaders of Rurality of the Americas is part of an initiative that seeks to turn the spotlight on men and women who are leaving their mark and making a difference in the rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean.

It pays tribute to those who play an unparalleled dual role: as guarantors of food and nutritional security and as caretakers of the planet’s biodiversity. It also emphasizes their capacity to drive positive changes in the rural areas of the region. For all these reasons, these individuals are the Soul of Rurality.

Leaders of Rurality of the Americas

American farmer to receive IICA “Leaders of Rurality” award for innovative initiatives linking education and agriculture

Phillip “Chip” Councell will receive the award for his innovative initiatives that work to raise awareness about the importance of agriculture and how it relates to food security and environmental protection.

Salvadoran coffee producer and “Cup of Excellence 2021” winner Ever Díaz to receive IICA’s “Leaders of Rurality” award

Ever Díaz was born into a farming family in western El Salvador and took an interest in coffee as a teenager. His ten-hectare farm supports five other rural families and has become a benchmark of the country’s goal to recover its regional leadership as a coffee producing nation.

Argentine teacher to receive IICA Leaders of Rurality award for broadcasting classes over the radio during pandemic

Bruno lives in San Roque, a small city in the province of Corrientes in northeastern Argentina, where he advocates that formal education should train young people in food production methods, along with improving education in rural areas to generate opportunities for individual and collective development to help halt migration to the cities.

Mexican agronomist Gabriela Lucas Deecke to receive IICA award for efforts to improve the quality of life of vulnerable rural populations

In 2011 Gabriela knew she wanted to devote her life to training family farmers on how to produce abundant, healthy and nutritious foods for their families and communities. As a result, she founded the CIASPE, an organization aimed at strengthening the self-management capabilities and resilience of small-scale farmers—and particularly female leaders.

Brazilian farmer Simone Silotti to receive IICA “Leaders of Rurality” award for initiative that connects farmers and organizations working to feed at-risk population

“Do an incredible good” connects small farmers and organizations working with at-risk populations. It has already prevented 200 tons of food waste and benefited more than 100 farmers.

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