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4:30pm EST
SiX Open House: Meet the Team!
Wednesday December 11, 2024 4:30pm - 5:15pm EST
Speakers 
SiX Staff Session Lead
Kendra serves as the Director of Agriculture and Food Systems at SiX. Kendra oversees SiX’s rural, sustainable agriculture and food systems work. She works with national staff at SiX as well as in-state and national partners to promote progressive agriculture policies and legislation...
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10:30am EST
Power and Greed: How Agriculture Policy Has Shaped America and How State Legislators Can Drive Change
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Speakers 
State Representative, Illinois-6
Sonya Marie Harper has been a community activist on the South Side since she was 16 years old. Her passions include promoting community, economic development and civic engagement in an effort to create more peaceful and prosperous neighborhoods. Harper spent over a decade working...
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SiX Staff Session Lead
Kendra serves as the Director of Agriculture and Food Systems at SiX. Kendra oversees SiX’s rural, sustainable agriculture and food systems work. She works with national staff at SiX as well as in-state and national partners to promote progressive agriculture policies and legislation...
Read More → 
State Representative, Iowa-30
Dr. Megan Srinivas, the youngest woman of color elected to state-level office in Iowa, serves in the state House of Representatives (HD-30). She is an infectious disease physician and translational health policy researcher who focuses on delivering care to rural and low-resource settings...
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12:00pm EST
Power of Progressive Caucuses
Thursday December 12, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Speakers 
Colorado State Director, State InnovationExchange
Maggie Gómez has dedicated nearly two decades to grassroots community organizing with women and communities of color to build deep power for collective action and policy wins. Prior to SiX, Maggie has led grassroots organizing and policy efforts for paid sick leave, paid family medical...
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1:15pm EST
Bridging Divides: Strategies for Advancing Progressive Agendas Together with Rural Communities
Thursday December 12, 2024 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Speakers 
State Representative, Iowa-1
J.D. Scholten was born in Iowa and raised in Sioux City. He attended Morningside College, where he played baseball for his father who was the Head Coach. J.D. transferred for his Senior year to the University of Nebraska where he led the Cornhuskers in earned run average on the College...
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Deputy Director, Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Liz Rupel is the Deputy Director for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. She began her journey with the Alliance as a Farmers Market intern in 2016 and has since developed her community organizing skills, deep commitment to the mission, and drive for change. Liz believes that making...
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State Representative, Minnesota-58A
Representative Kristi Pursell was born in Rochester, Minnesota, and graduated from Saint Olaf College with a bachelor's degree in English and environmental studies. She also received a graduate certificate in environmental education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.Rep. Pursell...
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State Representative, Ohio-22
Rep. Juanita O. Brent is a third term State Representative in Ohio. Serving as ranking member of House Agriculture committee, Rep. Brent has introduced policy that focus on soil health, hair discrimination, black maternal health and equity in policy decisions.
SiX Staff Session Lead
Kendra serves as the Director of Agriculture and Food Systems at SiX. Kendra oversees SiX’s rural, sustainable agriculture and food systems work. She works with national staff at SiX as well as in-state and national partners to promote progressive agriculture policies and legislation...
Read More → 
State Senator, Mississippi-27
Hillman T. Frazier is a progressive legislator who has served in both the House and Senate. He currently serves as chair of the Interstate and Federal Cooperation Committee and subcommittee chair of the Appropriations Committee for Community Colleges in the Mississippi Senate. He...
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2:45pm EST
What’s in the Toolshed: Tactics for Legislators to Champion Agricultural & Rural Communities
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers 
State Representative, North Carolina-2
Rep. B. Ray Jeffers is a farmer and former county commissioner. He was just re-elected to a second term as a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 2nd district, including all of Person County, as well as part of Durham County. Jeffers previously...
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State Representative, Pennsylvania-200
Rabble-rousing 4-term Philly state lawmaker, reppin’ the bluest legislative district in the most pivotal battleground state in the nation!
Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Dr. Tim Boring was appointed by Governor Whitmer on March 27, 2023. He previously served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency.Boring's family operates a six generation farm in Stockbridge,
Michigan. Prior to his appointment at the USDA, he was the president
and...
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State Senator, North Carolina
As a native North Carolinian, UNC alum, and local elected official, Natalie has spent a lifetime learning about the strengths and challenges of North Carolina. She has committed her life to public service. She is the NC State Senator for District 20, which encompasses Durham and Chatham...
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10:30am EST
Collaborative Governance: Building People Power Beyond Elections
Friday December 13, 2024 10:30am - 11:20am EST
Speakers 
Chief Executive Officer, Tall Tree Indigenous Education Consulting
Teresa Melendez, a citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Nation from Southwest Michigan, holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a master's degree in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education. She assumes the role of CEO at Nevada Native Solutions and Director of Programs with...
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Attorney, Organizer, Public Service Staffer
Lisa Stifler is a North Carolina-based attorney, organizer, and public service staffer. She has almost two decades of experience in state and federal issue-based legislative, regulatory, ballot measure, and legal campaigns on a variety of issues, including healthcare, consumer and...
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