Alumni Stories

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…

When our doors first opened 30 years ago, EARTH University became the alma mater (Latin for “generous mother”) to hundreds of Central, South, and Caribbean American youths. Since…

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…

“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…

Chi Brenda (Class of 2021, Cameroon) came to EARTH University in hopes of becoming a leader of change and an accomplished agricultural scientist. Not long after arriving, she…

Yecenia Vega (Class of 2005, Colombia) has always been clear: she strives to improve farmers’ lives by giving them the tools to make better decisions in the fields, ensure their products are…

Precious Nemutenzi (Class of 2020, Zimbabwe) has always been an exemplary student. While in high school, she participated in the debate club, religious groups, and the…

Have you ever tried jackfruit “meat”? Artocarpus heterophyllus or jackfruit is a large, round, green fruit that, when cooked unripe, has a meat-like texture. It is…

Mekdes Gelete Tiyuke (Class of 2023, Ethiopia) knew that her country was full of riches, but she never imagined how diverse they were. In December 2021, while finishing her…