“Public service is for all of us.” These are the words of Audrey Denney (she/her), an agriculture teacher, consultant, international human rights volunteer and political activist. Raised from a young age with the belief in service to others, Audrey has spent her whole life advocating for those who need it — the hungry, the unhoused, immigrants, and farm laborers. And she has a thing or two to say about why the Democratic party keeps losing in rural America. Read on to learn more about Audrey Denney!

Where are you based?
I’m based in Chico, California with my two cats, Nashville and Harper Eleanor.

What inspired you to get involved in activism and politics?
I’ve always had a strong sense of justice. From an early age, my parents taught me the value of service and learning, and I’ve carried that with me. I see my purpose in this world as helping build a more just and compassionate society — and for me, activism and politics are how I live that out.

You have spent your adult life living in Northern California. Where do you see the needs of your part of the state falling in priority compared to the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and SoCal?
I live in rural Northern California, and it’s a very different part of the state — remote, poor, and often overlooked. We have a lot of federally managed forestland, which makes wildfire prevention and forest health critical. People here feel forgotten, especially when it comes to access to healthcare, jobs, and basic infrastructure. In both of my congressional campaigns, I prioritized the issues that matter here: forest health, fire prevention, rural healthcare, career and technical education, and economic opportunity.

In 2018 and 2020 you ran for Congress in Northern California with the backing of Justice Democrats in 2018. How did you receive their endorsement, and why did you decide to run?
I decided to run because my member of Congress didn’t believe in climate change and claimed that abortion caused breast cancer. As a 33-year-old ag teacher at the time, I knew I was more qualified — and more rooted in reality — than someone holding those views. I earned the support of Justice Democrats because I pledged not to take corporate money. Getting money out of politics was a central focus of my campaign, and I still believe that until we overturn Citizens United with a constitutional amendment, we won’t be able to elect leaders who fight solely for people — not corporations.

During your campaigns, you ran on local issues like forest health and fire prevention, rural economic development, agricultural policy, broadband expansion, and access to rural healthcare. Are these issues being championed by the Right, and how can the Left incorporate these issues to be a larger part of the progressive narrative?
I don’t believe the Right is seriously championing any of these local issues. Their candidates mostly stoke fear around immigration and cultural differences without offering real solutions to the problems people face. Progressives should focus on the practical, local issues that matter to their communities — especially in rural areas. In my region, that includes wildfire prevention, broadband access, job creation, and rural health care. These aren’t partisan issues; they’re survival issues.

You have been involved in activist causes from advocating for human rights, to forest health and wildfire prevention, to food security and climate resilience. Can you tell us more about your history with activism, and what is the central thread (or threads) that runs through your activism?
The central thread running through everything I do is a deep belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice, to me, is the act of living that belief out in the world. Whether I’m working on human rights, climate action, or food security, I’m guided by the conviction that all people deserve fairness, safety, and opportunity.

Your education and career has been in agriculture education. Can you explain what this field incorporates and how you use it with your activism?
I have both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in agricultural education. My thesis research focused on how to change people’s perceptions and behaviors — skills that are incredibly relevant to activism. In a divided political climate, the ability to build educational experiences that help people reflect and grow is vital. My background gave me the theoretical grounding and the practical tools to help people see the world differently and imagine something better.

A lot of people dismiss agriculture and other rural needs in America as Republican issues and go so far as saying it competes with urban/suburban needs. Yet agricultural issues affect the entire supply chain that touches rural, suburban, and urban residents. How can the Left do a better job of advocating for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers, especially seasonal workers and immigrants in California?
I think the Left is beginning to do a better job at connecting agriculture to climate change and justice. Regenerative farming practices, for example, can actually draw carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil — one of the most promising ways to fight climate change. We also need to stand up for immigrant labor and seasonal farmworkers, who are essential to our food system. Farmers in California, many of whom are frustrated by conservative trade policies, are ready for those conversations. The Left needs to show up and prove that we care about the rural economy and the people who keep it going.

Do you think that rural voters can become progressive/leftist voters again, and if so, what change needs to take place?
Absolutely. There are already many rural progressives — and there would be more if the Democratic Party consistently showed up in rural communities and supported rural candidates. People here often feel abandoned, so they turn to the Right by default. But when we build real relationships and care about people — even when we disagree — we create the space for progressive ideas to grow.

You are currently self-employed as a business consultant. How do you use your progressive values to inform the business that you do?
As a consultant, I mostly work with food banks and other nonprofits, which lets me align my work with my values. Whether it’s food justice, environmental justice, or climate resilience, I get to approach these issues from a systems and strategy perspective — which is a really exciting way to make a tangible impact.

The national food banking non-profit, Feeding America, has been one of your largest clients. Can you talk a little bit about working with them?
Feeding America is the national network of 198 independent food banks across the country working to end hunger. I’ve had the honor of working both with the national team and individual food banks — helping them strengthen their internal systems, build strategic plans, and expand their capacity to serve their communities. It’s been some of the most meaningful and fulfilling work I’ve ever done.

With the economy the way it is and unemployment on the rise, the USA is entering a scary time for keeping America fed. How does Feeding America help people keep afloat?
Food banks and food pantries make up the backbone of the charitable food system. They move surplus food — whether from grocery stores, producers, or farmers — into the hands of people who need it. That frees up household income for other essentials, like rent or medicine. Feeding America helps keep families afloat during hard times, especially when other safety nets fail.

With so much government funding disappearing how can we better support nonprofits like Feeding America?
Government funding cuts are hurting food banks across the country. One of the most effective things people can do is to donate directly — either to national organizations like Feeding America or to local pantries. I serve on the board of the South Chico Community Assistance Center, and I’ve seen firsthand how even small donations can make a huge impact.

You come from a devout family with a tradition of going into the clergy. Can you tell us more about how your faith inspires your progressive activism?
Both of my sisters, my mom, and my stepdad are progressive Episcopal clergy. The Episcopal Church is a mainstream Protestant denomination rooted in the belief that all people are equal in the eyes of God. Growing up with that foundation deeply shaped my worldview. It inspired my belief in human rights and my conviction that every person has worth, rights, and dignity. My desire for justice is rooted in that faith tradition.

A lot of activists are saying that the left needs to take as much time as it needs to rest and reset after the win of Trump in November. Do you agree? How should progressives be handling the next four years?
I think we each have to find the right balance between rest and action. We can't sit back while our country drifts toward authoritarianism — but we also can’t be effective if we’re burned out. As for me, I’m leaning into action in the ways I can sustain. I was recently elected chairperson of the Democratic Action Club of Chico. I serve on the editorial board of our local newspaper to support a free and fair press. I’m on the board of a local food pantry and I volunteer with the international human rights organization Cristosal. These are the ways I push back against authoritarianism — both here at home and abroad.

It has been a crazy past few years, and we suspect at least four more, how have you been staying positive?
I’m naturally an optimistic person, and I focus on where I have agency. I put my whole heart into the things I can influence — and that keeps me grounded. My mission in life is simple: to love people, to love the world, and to love well. That’s what carries me forward.

What is your motto in life?
Love people. Love the world. Love well.

Where can we find out more about you?
You can find more about me and my work at www.audreydenney.com

IG: audreylyndenney

Audrey Denney - Feeding American Hunger