Celize Christy
Beginning Farmer Education Coordinator
Celize Christy joined Practical Farmers of Iowa in 2018. As the beginning farmer education coordinator, Celize crafts farmer-led events focused on aspiring and beginning farmers. She also helps feature beginning farmers in PFI media; engages beginning and aspiring farmers through educational events and farmer-led programming; and stewards PFI’s agricultores Latinos program, crafting Spanish-language events and outreach.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Celize obtained her Bachelor of Science in animal science and global resource systems with a minor in Spanish from Iowa State University. Her studies at Iowa State allowed Celize to take her curiosity about livestock production systems worldwide, including working on a sustainability project with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome and working with beginning poultry producers in Uganda.
After graduating from ISU, she obtained a Master of Science in rural sociology and international agricultural development from Penn State University. While there, Celize’s research focused on how poultry farmers in Rwanda use the diffusion of local knowledge and ethnoveterinary practices to address poultry health issues.
As an advocate for the voices of Black, Indigenous, Latino and other farmers of color, Celize comes to PFI’s farmer-led work with a passion to build a more equitable and just food system. When she’s not working, Celize finds joy in exploring local businesses and shops, drinking ginger tea and playing with her miniature pincher pup, Luz.