Maria is a first-generation immigrant born in Jalisco, Mexico and raised in California. Her family's roots in agriculture and work experience influenced Maria to pursue her Masters at Cornell University in Global Development. Her academic focus included international agriculture, education, and extension with a dedication to bridging knowledge gaps and advocating for just and equitable food systems. Her research centered on enhancing dragon fruit (pitahaya) grower insights by weaving in participatory mapping, farmer-to-farmer knowledge, and networking opportunities to empower Indigenous and local communities in Kenya. Prior to graduate school, Maria worked for the UC Small Farms Network as a bilingual Community Educator supporting farmers experiencing hardship due extreme weather events as well as assisting growers who are not covered by traditional commodity-based extension programs to research agave, subtropical fruits, and other specialty crops. Additionally, Maria holds a BS from UC Davis in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, with minors in Chicano/a/x Studies and Community and Regional Development. Overall, she is committed to learning and continuing to empower farmers through education, outreach, and mentorship to address the ever-evolving needs of organic, underserved, and marginalized communities in our food systems.