B L O Q U E O
Looking at the U.S. Embargo
Against Cuba
Rachel Dannefer coordinates the
National Immigrant Farming Initiative (NIFI), an initiative of Heifer
International established in response to growing numbers of immigrant
and refugee farmers around the country. This is the first and only national
effort to increase visibility and leverage support for immigrant and
refugee farmers.
Previously, Rachel served as the founding Director of the New Farmer
Development Project, which supports immigrant farmers in the New York
City region. Rachel worked with an East Harlem based garden group of
Mexican women to develop a buying cooperative to purchase produce from
local farmers. She has been involved in various solidarity efforts with
Latin America, including work in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
Rachel received the Friends of Extension Award from Cornell Cooperative
Extension in 2004. She received a B.A. in Latin American Studies and
Environmental Studies from Oberlin College in 1999. Rachel is the vocalist
and bassist for La Pieta, an indie-rock band on the Contraphonic Records
label.
Heather Haddon is a journalist, photographer and layout manager for an award-winning Bronx community newspaper, the Norwood News. She received three first-place New York City Independent Press Association awards in 2003 for writing.
Heather helped found the Indypendent, a volunteer-based New York City
newspaper affiliated with the Independent Media Center. Her articles
have been featured in the Village Voice, the Star Ledger, Alternet,
Common Dreams, Punk Planet, and Clamor. Heather produced People de mi
Tierra, people de mi Pueblo—a documentary about the Puerto Rican
community in northern Ohio—with Rachel Dannefer.
Heather received a B.A. in Anthropology from Oberlin College. She currently
lives in Queens.
***