Eli is a first-generation Mexican American born on the land of the Tataviam people in the San Fernando Valley of greater Los Angeles, California. Eli brings 10 years of experience in youth development, urban agriculture, training and facilitation, campaign development, and coalition building. In 2013, they co-founded the University of California Riverside R’Garden. In 2014, they co-led the successful Real Food for CSU campaign, institutionalizing policy to support a transition towards the fair, local, and equitable sourcing of food in 23 campuses across California. Prior to joining Young Farmers, Eli worked with the American Friends Service Committee for 6 years as Program Coordinator in Los Angeles, leading a QTBIPOC youth leadership program, building the South LA Community Farm and compost hub, and organizing in the NoPVEinCA coalition to stop DHS surveillance funds in California, as well as Re-Imagine LA to divest from policing and invest in the health and well-being of communities of color. Eli holds their B.A. in Environmental Science and Gender Studies and is currently an M.A. candidate in Urban Sustainability at Antioch University.