Alumni Stories

Bianca Dager: The Power of Curiosity and Consistency

Bianca Dager (Class of 2003, Ecuador) has done it all. She served as Ecuador’s Vice Minister of Environment, co-founded the platform Premios Verdes, launched an environmental consultancy, and created a project that is connecting nature with various sectors, from conservation to private industry and production. Her calling took her by surprise, leading her to believe in the power of agriculture and conservation to transform production systems.

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Strengthening Rural Communities Using Local Knowledge

Juana Nohelia Bonilla (Class of 2004, Honduras) has dedicated her life to strengthening rural communities through local knowledge and sustainability. Her return to Costa Rica, after two decades of impact in the agricultural sector, reaffirms her commitment to inclusive development…

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Beyond the Field: The Humanitarian Vocation of an Agronomist

Francisco Raigón (Class of 2001, Spain) found his calling in international cooperation. He has worked in vulnerable contexts around the world, from the Amazon to refugee camps in the Sahara and Burkina Faso. His commitment focuses on improving people’s quality of life, using Agricultural Sciences as a tool for social and humanitarian change…

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Giving Back with Impact: A Graduate’s Support for a Student

Allan Acosta (Class of 1999, Guatemala) has been a great support for Desirée Chang (Class of 2025, Guatemala) by providing her with a partial scholarship to study at EARTH. Their personal stories converge in their love for agriculture and their desire to create a chain of support and solidarity that can transcend generations…

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Seedbed of Hope: Reconnecting Rural Youth with the Land

The Seedbed of Rural Youth Entrepreneurs created by the Colombian Alumni Association (AGEARTH) is an initiative that seeks to reduce youth migration to cities and promote a healthy generational transition within agricultural entities. The project has impacted hundreds of young people in remote rural areas by providing them with tools and opportunities to thrive in the agricultural sector…

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Marianela Ubilla: A Graduate Breaking Barriers in the Banana Industry

Marianela Ubilla (Class of 1998, Ecuador), is a prominent leader in Ecuador’s banana industry, the world’s largest exporter of the crop. In 2020, she became the first woman to chair the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE) and has been distinguished for her leadership, perseverance, and ability to face global challenges through innovation and resilience…

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EARTH grad in regenerative farming

Obed Azofeifa (Class of 2020, Costa Rica) finds purpose in bringing life back to soil. He manages Osa Verde, a 10-hectare wildlife-friendly farm that models mindful eating, climate-smart strategies, and…

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Walter Picado’s Story

Walter Picado Portuguez (Class of 1997, Costa Rica) was a teenager in rural Pocora when construction trucks began arriving at a dilapidated banana plantation nearby. He and the…

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EARTH alumni: Guiding the future

“EARTH turned my life around. More than just teaching me a profession,” says Joel Tejeda (Class of 1993, Honduras), a member of EARTH University’s pioneering cohort, “it gave me a…

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