Milexa Polanco joined RAFI in 2024, bringing over a decade of experience in farmer services and conservation planning. Driven by a commitment to supporting farmers and advocating on their behalf, Milexa is proud to assist farmers in the planning and adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices as RAFI’s Climate Smart Agriculture Technical Assistance Provider.
Milexa was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Growing up, she enjoyed going to festivals and spending time at the beach with her parents. She developed an early interest in agriculture through visits to her aunt and uncle’s farm. “I loved to go there to feed the chickens, ducks, and geese, as well as to pick coffee,” says Milexa. “On special days, we would cook arroz con dulce [a sweet Puerto Rican rice pudding] on the fogón [an outdoor hearth].”
Milexa attended the Universidad de Puerto Rico, El RUM, where she studied horticulture. She particularly enjoyed her classes on coffee cultivation and animal husbandry. During college, she was recruited by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to work as an intern with NRCS Arkansas. “In 2012, I worked in Ozark, Arkansas, where I met wonderful people who influenced my life and career.”
Thus began her journey with NRCS, where she served as the first Soil Conservationist in Ozark, Arkansas. In 2017, she went on detail to Puerto Rico to help lead the Corozal Field Office, providing support to coffee, cacao, fruit, and plantain producers and assisting in emergency response efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. She later returned to Arkansas as a Soil Conservationist in the Forrest City office, assisting farmers in one of the busiest conservation district offices in the state. In these roles, Milexa administered conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Grassland Conservation Initiative (GCI), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). She provided English and Spanish-language assistance to help farmers implement sustainable farming practices like crop rotations, cover cropping, and conservation tillage. “In 2023, I had my best year yet, working on 85 contracts totaling $10,422,547.00. These experiences have helped me work with farmers, gain different perspectives, and always be true to myself.”
In July 2024, Milexa came to RAFI, where she draws on her deep expertise of USDA programs and sustainable agriculture to provide technical assistance to farmers enrolled in RAFI’s Climate-Smart Commodities Project. This project — a partnership with A Greener World (AGW) and the Soil Health Institute — provides funding and technical assistance for farmers to transition to regenerative and climate-smart practices and become Certified Regenerative by A Greener World (AGW). Milexa conducts farm visits and helps farmers develop and implement a regenerative farm plan for their operation.
For Milexa, the best thing about RAFI is getting to help farmers and share her knowledge and experience, surrounded by a committed and highly driven team. “The people, their vision, goals, and core values are truly remarkable. This group of dedicated individuals genuinely cares about helping others. Their determination and proactiveness show how much they care about their work; they give it their all. It’s an incredible feeling to be part of a place that cares and is committed to doing the job well. I am proud of the collaboration we have doing field visits and enjoy the opportunity to meet with farmers.”
In her free time, Milexa enjoys going to the park with her dogs, spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching birds, and running. Her hobbies also include making pottery and playing classic Nintendo games.