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Futuro en Ag: A Holistic and Equitable Approach to Agricultural Education

Mildred Alvarado

Summary

Futuro en Ag, a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program, provides comprehensive and equitable education in Spanish to empower Latino farmers. Its goal is to help farmers manage financial, production, and market risks while fostering trust, collaboration, and access to resources that create sustainable impacts on businesses, families, and communities.
The program’s impact transcends numbers, transforming the lives of farmers, managers, and workers. Trust-building begins in the field, understanding farmers’ dreams and challenges while addressing inequities in education, resources, and support networks. Events like the Northeast Latino/a/x Agricultural Community Conference, which brought together more than 150 participants, exemplify this impact. The conference addressed climate-resilient practices, land access, financial services, and multicultural leadership, equipping farmers with practical tools and inspiration.
Futuro en Ag leverages innovative tools to deliver information in Spanish, ensuring accessibility and effective communication with the Latino farming community. The program offers online courses like BF 101 (How to Start Your Farm Business) and BF 102 (Markets and Profits), each tailored to the needs of Latino farmers. Monthly virtual meet-ups through the Juntos Aprendemos initiative enhance agricultural resilience, develop entrepreneurial skills, and foster peer mentoring networks, creating a supportive environment for shared growth and success.
By integrating technical knowledge, financial guidance, and equitable, culturally relevant programming, Futuro en Ag supports sustainable farming practices and empowers Latino farmers to thrive as business leaders. This holistic approach is transforming farms, families, and communities, establishing a legacy of equity and resilience in agriculture.

Details

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