NatureSweet®, a produce grower, has kicked off an educational initiative that’s giving agricultural workers an opportunity to obtain their bachelor’s degrees. Thirty agricultural workers from NatureSweet’s facility in Zapotlán, Mexico, were selected to be a part of a pilot program that will allow them to earn their degree in agriculture.
The program is called “Unleashing Your Power,” and a majority of the costs associated with obtaining the degree are being paid for by NatureSweet.
The “Unleashing Your Power” program and a majority of the costs associated with obtaining the degree are being paid for by NatureSweet.
“The agriculture industry hasn’t always been fair to ag workers, and NatureSweet is changing that,” says Rodolfo Spielmann, president, and CEO. “Many of our associates never imagined they would be on the path to earning a college degree given their circumstances, but as a company, we strongly believe that our choices define the future and not the circumstances around us. Our bachelor’s degree program will undoubtedly provide them with more opportunities to transform their lives and become our future leaders.”
Through a partnership with Tecnológico de Tlajomulco, associates began the journey to complete their bachelor’s degrees in February of this year. The group takes classes on weekends and is expected to graduate in 2028. The youngest associate in the inaugural class of the bachelor’s program is 24 years old, and the oldest is 45.
The group takes classes on weekends and is expected to graduate in 2028.
In 2005, the company began offering educational programs that have helped associates earn their elementary, middle school, and high school diplomas. Through these programs and with the addition of the “Unleashing Your Power” bachelor’s program, the company is expected to impact about 2,000 lives through education in 2023. The company’s success in sustainability was recently featured in a case study by the International Fresh Produce Association. NatureSweet, a Fair Trade and EFI-certified company, is committed to transforming the lives of agricultural workers in North America through education, better pay, and access to healthcare.
For more information:
Jenny Halpin
NatureSweet
Tel.: +1 (210) 885-8927
jennyh@naturesweet.com
https://naturesweet.com/