Our Crowdfunding Groups
Latinos in Agriculture (LIA) was founded at Cal Poly in 1988 as the first and only cultural club within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). We are proud to be a chapter of the National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and are recognized nationally as Cal Poly MANRRS. LIA is a professional, social, and cultural organization dedicated to creating a home away from home for underrepresented students in CAFES. Our mission is to foster student success in higher education by offering professional development, academic support, and social opportunities in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment where our members can thrive. We proudly welcome all students, regardless of major or background!
Unlike many other clubs within CAFES, Latinos in Agriculture (LIA) is not directly affiliated with a specific academic department. While this allows us to serve a broader, more diverse student population, it has presented challenges when seeking consistent support. Despite these challenges, our commitment to supporting student success prevails. LIA has been long-dedicated to uplifting underrepresented students and creating a community-building environment that prioritizes inclusivity and empowerment for the next generation of agricultural leaders. This commitment, while meaningful, comes at significant financial costs.
As an active and nationally recognized MANRRS chapter, many of our members travel to regional and national conferences to connect with industry professionals, sharpen their leadership skills, and compete in public speaking events. We are especially proud of Angeli Morales (Agricultural Science), who represented Cal Poly at both the regional and national MANRRS speaking competitions! From the travel and registration fees associated with out-of-state MANRRS conferences to the supplies and logistics needed for our on-campus programming, funding is a constant challenge. Often, we have more members interested in participating than we have the resources to support.
Your support can change that.
By supporting LIA, you help expand access to transformative opportunities that develop leadership, confidence, and community. You help ensure that more students are afforded more opportunities. We hope you will become a part of our growing, thriving famiLIA.
Cover the cost of a one night stay at a hotel for a student attending a conference.
Help provide support for supplies, registration fees, and travel for conferences and public speaking events.
