Nesbitt will receive the "Soul of Rurality" award, part of an initiative by the specialized agency for agricultural and rural development to recognize the work of men and women who leave a lasting impact and make a difference in the countryside of the Americas – a region that is essential for global food and nutritional security and environmental sustainability. 

The first meeting of the ACTO’s Mesa de Cooperantes brought together representatives of cooperation agencies, development banks and multilateral organizations, who exchanged information and discussed how to pool resources and improve their joint efforts, in order to prevent duplication and optimize the use of resources in areas such as the bioeconomy and conservation.

The host, Luis Diego Solórzano, is also a renowned Costa Rican musician and music producer. For twenty years he has joined with IICA to give a voice to agriculture through the Institute’s educational radio magazine program, seeking to promote the participation of small-scale agrobusinesses in national and international markets and to foster inclusive and sustainable rural development.

The book is comprised of 30 interviews and 55 articles by authorities, academics and experts in the region. Otero was interviewed about food security challenges in the region.