Center for Land-Based Learning Launches AgHiRE Leadership Development Program for Spanish-Speaking Farm Employees

WOODLAND, CA – The Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL) proudly welcomed 22 participants from 13 companies to its pilot AgHiRE training program, designed to equip native Spanish-speaking employees with necessary skills to advance into positions with higher responsibility and leadership.

The inaugural session on Wednesday, December 4 featured an introduction to using computers led by Yolo County Agricultural Labor Coordinator Rodrigo Lopez. “The AgHiRE program is a transformative professional development opportunity for Spanish-speaking farm employees to advance in their careers as farm leaders,” said Annika Forester, CLBL’s Learning and Development Manager. “By addressing unmet learning needs, closing skill gaps, and building confidence, this program prepares participants for advancement within the agricultural industry,” said Forester.

AgHiRE provides nearly 90 instructional hours, from December through mid-March. Classes are held twice weekly plus one Saturday per month in Woodland, California in partnership with YoloWorks!, Woodland Adult Education, the National Immigration Forum, and other agricultural industry experts. In addition to digital literacy, the curriculum approaches a comprehensive range of essential skills for successful frontline farm leaders, including farm-contextualized English, leadership and communication, and regulatory awareness.

The AgHiRE curriculum was crafted based on survey data collected from farm employers from more than 30 California counties, who reported upwards of 30% staffing vacancy in front-line leadership positions. The survey also identified skills essential for advancement into these positions. Guided by a committee of ag employers and industry experts, CLBL tailored the program to address these needs.

As most California farming companies, whether large or small, are still family-run, few have specialized staff to provide such comprehensive learning. AgHiRE addresses a long unmet employer need for development of Spanish-speaking employees. “I’ve been in a leadership position for more than 30 years but this is the first time I am learning skills on leadership and communication,” said Ramon del Toro, Foreman at Sierra Orchards, in Winters, California. AgHiRE participants have an average tenure of 10 years with their current employer, and 5 years in their current roles. The promise of AgHiRE is to help farm employers prepare high-potential employees for advancement so companies may better navigate the ever-changing labor, climate, regulatory and technological landscape.

This innovative pilot program is funded by a grant from the California Workforce Development Board through its High Road Training Partnership initiative, which focuses on expanding access to quality jobs and creating sustainable career pathways.

For more information about the AgHiRE program, please contact aghire@landbasedlearning.org

About the Center for Land-Based Learning: The Center for Land-Based Learning is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and cultivating the next generation of farmers, agricultural leaders, and natural resource stewards. Through programs like AgHiRE, the organization works to advance workforce development and create opportunities for a diverse agricultural community.

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Center for Land-Based Learning

40140 Best Ranch Rd.

Woodland, CA 95776

(530) 795-1520

aghire@landbasedlearning.org