Send our O'odham Farmer to Italy!

S-ke:g Tas! Ciao!

Raymond Antone is an O'odham Oidagkam (Farmer) at San Xavier Coop Farm in Tucson, AZ. His background is rooted in growing traditional O'odham crops such as ba:wi (tepary beans), hu:n (corn), ha:l (squash) and more. Born and raised in Tucson, and a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, his father is from Fresnal Village and his mother is from San Xavier.

He graduated from Sentinel Peak High School & got an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Pima Community College. He has volunteered in Southern Arizona Community Food Bank’s Garden Program, interned at Native Seed S.E.A.R.C.H., and at the end of the internship was hired on to work on their Conservation Farm in Patagonia, AZ.

In 2017, Ray was hired on at the San Xavier Cooperative Farm as Food Production Assistant. He worked his way up to Operations Crew 2/Food Production Supervisor, which cares for the growing of O'odham crops and education.

Ray is currently a Junior in his third semester at the University of Arizona pursuing a degree in Agricultural Technology Management with a Pre-Law Thematic Minor.

He was recently accepted into the "ARIZONA IN ORVIETO" study abroad program in Italy, where he will be focusing on business and pre-law thematic classes. This is an AMAZING opportunity for one of our own community members and beloved farmers who will experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in his field.

We are raising $20,000 to cover the costs while abroad and at home, and provide support for Ray to truly enjoy this experience stress-free.

Costs to get to Italy

$6, 690.00 - Program Tuition and Housing

$180.00 - Health Insurance

$3,000 - Roundtrip Airfare

$2,000.00 - Local Travel

$2,000.00 - Meals

$500.00 - Books and supplies

$500.00 - Miscellaneous

Ray has a family he will be caring for while in the program, we'd like to raise a little extra to help care for the family needs while he is away.

$5,130.00 - Family and Home care while abroad.

Ray is truly deserving of this opportunity, is a caring, hardworking and humble man who we would love see this dream come true for!

Thank you in advance for your support, please feel free to share this fundraiser with your circles and help us grow power!