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Kavouras Reflects on Trip to Colombian Cacao Farms

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«’s Dr. Jerry Kavouras Reflects on Educational Trip to Colombian Cacao Farms

Published: August 19, 2024.


Dr. Jerry Kavouras, chair and biology professor at Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«, recently shared his experiences from a transformative trip to Yopal, Colombia, in a blog post titled "." 

The May 2024 trip brought together students and faculty from Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«, Manhattan College, and New Mexico State University to explore the cultivation and sustainability of cacao, a vital global crop.

Hosted by the Universidad de La Salle’s Utopia campus, the group immersed themselves in the Lasallian model of education, where Colombian students receive tuition-free education focused on sustainable agriculture. Dr. Kavouras highlighted the students' impressive commitment, noting their involvement in campus life and preparation for entrepreneurial ventures after graduation.

A key part of the trip was learning from the Cacao Federation of Colombia about global cacao production challenges, including deforestation, child labor, and soil contamination. The group also visited Luker Agricola, where they witnessed sustainable farming practices and learned about the entire cacao production process, from grafting techniques to quality testing.

The trip also offered insights into advanced agricultural research at Utopia’s laboratories, where efforts are being made to support local farmers through innovations like disease-free crops and the use of drones and robots.

Dr. Kavouras described the experience as "eye-opening," deepening the students' understanding of sustainable agriculture and global food production challenges. The trip underscored Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«’s commitment to providing students with global educational opportunities that foster learning and innovation.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally-connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit for further information.



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