This week, we journeyed to California’s Central Valley, a region rapidly becoming a hotbed for agricultural innovation. Our exploration led us to a farm piloting next-generation tools and a university research center instrumental in developing these technologies. However, the most inspiring stop was at a graduation ceremony, a testament to the region’s commitment to shaping the future of agriculture.
At Coalinga College, April Alexander, the regional innovation director, addressed a small but significant gathering. “Good morning everyone, and I want to thank you all for being here today for this special occasion,” she announced. The occasion was the first graduation of a unique certificate program, launched last year at seven community colleges in the Central Valley. This program, funded by federal and state grants through the F3 initiative (Farms Food Future), offers free workforce training in agricultural technologies.
“This program was built to create opportunities, and these graduates represent exactly what’s possible when we meet students where they’re at, support them every step of the way and open doors for the future,” Alexander said. The curriculum is designed to equip farmworkers with the technical skills needed as the industry evolves.
Among the graduates was Filiberto Hernandez Montantes, a forklift operator for a garlic producer. Balancing work and study, he woke up at 4 a.m. to attend online classes before his workday began. “For me, the hardest course was learning how to program screen panels,” he shared, highlighting the program’s practical, hands-on approach.
Across the valley in Merced, farmworker Nadia Olivos is still working through the program. Despite struggling with a module on Microsoft Excel, she’s determined to push through. She’s already seen the impact of technology on her farm, where coworkers use laptops and iPads to monitor and record data about the plants. “I want to be the one out there on the computer looking at the plants,” she said, envisioning a future where her field experience combined with new technical skills could lead to better opportunities and a better life for her family.
This program is not just about learning new skills; it’s about adapting to a changing industry and securing a better future. For Olivos, who is back in school after 27 years, it’s a chance to prove that it’s never too late to learn and grow. “You could be as old as you can; does not mean that you are not able to go back to school and do something better,” she said.
Back at Coalinga College, the graduates received their certificates, marking the culmination of their hard work and dedication. “I’m hoping that from what I learned, I’m able to be more valuable to my company,” Hernandez Montantes said. “But also, at the same time, be a better provider for my family.”
While only eight students graduated in this first cohort, the program aims to train more than 8,000 workers in the future. This initiative is a clear indication of the Central Valley’s commitment to embracing technological advancements in agriculture and ensuring its workforce is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.