Joan Tovar-Martinez 

Congressional Intern, Presented by HEP CAMP 

Hometown: Americus, Georgia 

School: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 

Major: Agricultural Technology Systems Management 

Placement: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement 

Joan was born and raised in Americus, Georgia by his parents who immigrated to the United States from Mexico. Joan was inspired to pursue a career in agriculture at seven years old by simply riding in the tractor with his dad while he worked during planting seasons, and by joining his mother picking strawberries in the fields. He is a first-generation college student attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) majoring in Agricultural Technology and Systems Management and minoring in Agribusiness. To Joan, it is important to complete college and work in the agricultural industry to one day give back to the Georgia Future Farmers of America (FFA) association and local FFA chapters because of the support he received from these organizations throughout high school and college. 

Joan is part of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at ABAC. He is involved in the Cultura LatinX Club, and is part of the planning committee of the Fiesta del Pueblo in Tifton, GA. Upon graduation, he wants to work with H-2A labor contractors or in the precision agriculture field. He hopes to one day have his own agriculture operation and implement agricultural technologies.  

Joan plans to strengthen his knowledge of politics through the CHCI internship and become a better leader. He hopes to be able to use the experience of being an intern to inspire and make a difference in his community and to inspire his CAMP cohort and ABAC community.