Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (CAWD) along with NY FarmNet, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH), and Cornell Small Farms’ Futuro en Ag Program, is pleased to announce the launch of a new statewide initiative: VIDA Series, beginning in January 2026. This once-a-month yearly program is designed to support the well-being, confidence, and long-term success of Hispanic farmworkers through short educational videos and interactive live discussions. The VIDA Series—named for the Spanish word “vida” (meaning “life”)—offers free, Spanish-language sessions focused on four key areas of growth:
V – Valorar la salud (Value Wellness) – Promoting physical and mental well-being through lessons on health, nutrition, stress management, and healthy relationships.
I – Informar para crecer (Inform for Growth) – Strengthening personal financial knowledge, including banking, budgeting, and avoiding scams.
D – Desarrollar el futuro (Develop the Future) – Encouraging long-term planning, savings, and small business development both in the U.S. and abroad.
A – Activar la confianza (Activate Confidence) – Building communication and leadership skills to improve relationships at work and at home.
Program Overview:
Each month, CAWD will send out to our blog a link to our FREE 10–15 minute Spanish-language video introducing a key life or workplace skill. Then every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. EST we will lead a live Zoom discussion which is designed to ask questions to the professionals and to help dive in deeper to the topics of that month.
VIDA’s monthly topics for 2026 include financial basics, stress management, family communication, addiction prevention, workplace communication, and starting small businesses abroad. All sessions are completely in Spanish and will be touching topics specifically for agricultural workers.
Program Details:
- Format: Online pre-recorded videos and live monthly Zoom sessions
- Start Date: January 5th, 2026
- Session Schedule: Live sessions every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
- Languages: All content and discussions in Spanish
- Cost: Free of charge
- Registration: Subscribe to Ag Workforce Journal to receive the free video emails and Zoom links.
- Monthly Topics: VIDA’s monthly topics for 2026 will include:
- January: Financial Basics Part I – Personal Finance and Banking with NY FarmNet
- February: Health Awareness Part I – General Health & Diet with Anna Meyerhoff (NYCAMH)
- March: Managing Stress on the Farm with NY FarmNet
- April: Family Services Part I – Maintaining Family Bonds Across Borders with NY FarmNet
- May: Understanding and Preventing Addiction with Tito Chavez (NYCAMH)
- June: Communicating with the American Boss with María Bess Lewis (CAWD)
- July: Financial Basics Part II – Budgeting and Saving for the Future with NY FarmNet
- August: How to Start a Small Business Abroad with Mildred Alvarado (Cornell Small Farms)
- September: Family Services Part II – Family Stability and Growth While Apart with NY FarmNet
- October: Health Awareness Part II – Dental Care and Preventive Health with Anna Meyerhoff (NYCAMH)
- November: Financial Basics Part III – Credit and Financial Introduction with Mildred Alvarado (Cornell Small Farms)
- December: Special Guests and Personal Stories on Scams hosted by María Bess Lewis (CAWD)
About the VIDA Skills Series:
VIDA (Valorar, Informar, Desarrollar, Activar) was created to promote holistic growth and well-being among Hispanic agricultural employees. The program integrates health, financial literacy, and communication skills to help workers make informed decisions and pursue a more secure, confident future.
Partner Organizations:
The VIDA Skills Series is a collaboration between Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, NY FarmNet, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH), and Cornell Small Farms’ Futuro en Ag Program—organizations committed to strengthening New York’s agricultural workforce through education, outreach, and wellness initiatives.
For More Information:
- To learn more about the VIDA Skills Series, please visit https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/vida-program/
- Contact Mary Lewis ml2656@cornell.edu
- Download the bilingual VIDA flyer now – Share with your team!
