At the 8th Labor Roadshow held in Geneva, NY, on December 13, 2024, Cristian Lavandero shared an inspiring story of resilience, growth, and the power of education. Cristian captivated the audience with his journey—how leaving his comfort zone and embracing lifelong learning enabled him to rise to new heights as a leader in agriculture.
From Chile to Western New York: A Bold Move
Cristian, an Agricultural Engineer from the University of Talca in Chile, dedicated 14 years to managing agricultural operations as a Farm Manager. Recognizing the importance of continual self-improvement, he earned a certificate in Business Management from his alma mater to better understand company profits. Later, seeking to connect with and lead multigenerational teams, he pursued a certificate in Organizational Leadership from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.
In June 2024, Cristian took a bold step, leaving his home country to work at HH Dobbins and Sons in western New York as an Operations Manager. His main responsibility is to enhance communication and ensure alignment between the company’s culture and its predominantly Hispanic workforce, which is 95% of the team. He was hired to specifically work in labor management – ensuring daily feedback from the Hispanic employees and discovering hidden talent within.
Education: A Tool for Growth to Overcome Fear
While Cristian’s professional achievements are impressive, his personal transformation is even more remarkable. He candidly shared how, 14 years ago, his severe anxiety would have made it impossible to imagine himself thriving in a different culture and language. Education became his lifeline, equipping him with tools to conquer his fears and develop self-confidence.
“El estudio me ha enseñado a tener distintas herramientas para vencer ese miedo y poder lograrlo,” Cristian told the audience. [Studying has taught me to use various tools to overcome that fear and achieve (my goals)].
A Continued Desire to Learn through Cornell
Upon arriving in the U.S., Cristian discovered the Agricultural Supervisory Leadership Program (ASL) and Agricultural English Mentorship Program (AEM) offered by Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development. He immediately enrolled, excelling in both programs and earning recognition in those courses as a leader and influencer. He desires to complete all six courses in the Cornell program to obtain the full Agricultural Supervisory Leadership Certificate.
He addressed the farm owners and supervisors in attendance, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent within their teams. By providing employees with the educational tools they need to succeed, they can inspire greater dedication and performance, ultimately driving the success of the entire company. He is thankful to HH Dobbins for giving him the opportunity to work for them and he is inspired by their desire to continue to invest into him by allowing him to learn through Cornell.
An Open Invitation to Growth
Cristian’s story highlights the power of education and its ability to propel individuals and organizations forward. Programs like the Agricultural Supervisory Leadership (offered in Spanish!) and the Agricultural English Mentorship (an introductory course in Basic Farm English) provide actionable tools for leaders to strengthen their teams, promote cultural understanding, and enhance communication—particularly in multicultural work settings. Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development provides opportunities for agricultural professionals to continue their education and advance their leadership skills. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your workforce with practical tools for the farm, bridge gaps of communication within, or inspire the next generation of leaders, these programs can help your team develop and thrive.
Cristian’s Final Message: “Be Risky, Break Your Fears”
Cristian left the audience with a powerful message: “Atrévanse. Rompen su miedo. Salgan de su zona de ‘confort’. Porque todo eso los hará una mejor persona. (Be risky, break your fears, and leave your comfort zone. This is how you grow into a better person.)” His journey serves as a reminder that investing in education and embracing challenges can lead to extraordinary personal and professional success.
Agricultural English Mentorship (AEM) registration is open through 1/23 – course available for a limited time
Do you have Spanish-speaking farm employees eager to advance their careers and enhance communication on your farm? The Agricultural English Mentorship (AEM) program by Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (CAWD) is designed to meet these needs. AEM ensures that learning English is both effective and engaging, directly relevant to your employees’ daily tasks and long-term goals.
A mentor must register with the English learner and commit to 15 minutes of mentorship each week. Mentors do not need to know Spanish to participate. The dual goals are to teach specific farm terminologies and to strengthen relationships between the English-speaking mentors and their Spanish-speaking employees while learning English.
Cost: $275 NY state | $325 out of state
Mentorship is free and the costs associated for the course are for the English learner only.
Course Dates and Materials:
The course will be offered virtually through the Moodle app, which is easily accessible from phones and computers. Course materials will be available starting January 17, 2025, with live discussion sessions running every Friday from January 24 to February 28, 2025. Participants can choose between morning or afternoon sessions for the live sessions.
Registration closes January 23.
For questions, contact Mary Lewis: ml2656@cornell.edu
https://web.cvent.com/event/0a894aff-4245-4b6b-901f-19b7f0897229/register
By Mary Lewis, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Breaking Barriers Through Education: Cristian Lavandero’s Journey from Chile to Leadership in U.S. Agriculture appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal.
