Major Donor Impact
Major Donor Impact
Major gifts play a transformative role in the advancement and success of EARTH University programs and individual scholars.
These substantial contributions provide the resources necessary to realize ambitious initiatives, build state-of-the-art facilities, support groundbreaking research, and enhance the educational experience for students. Through their profound influence, major gifts empower EARTH University to drive innovation, expand its reach, and cultivate a lasting impact on both local communities and the global academic landscape.
Walmart Foundation funds third phase of Resilient Community Food Systems program in Guatemala and Costa Rica
EARTH Futures, the global solutions center of EARTH University, announces the launch of phase III of the Resilient Agrifood Systems (RAS) Project, thanks to funding provided to EARTH University Foundation by the Walmart Foundation. This new phase aims to positively impact more than 2,200 small-scale producers in Costa Rica and Guatemala, with a special focus on empowering women producers, promoting economic inclusion, and strengthening resilience to climate change.
Guatemalan Government provides support for Guatemalan student scholars
Edgar René De León Moreno, Guatemalan Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food from 2022-2023 (and EARTH graduate, Class of 1993) knows first-hand the importance of strengthening agricultural and sustainability education in Latin America.
That is why, as part of their commitment to agricultural development, the Guatemalan government invested in scholarship support for rising change leaders whose impact will multiply across hundreds of Guatemalan communities. Read some of their stories below.
Jessica Castañeda
Class of 2025, Guatemala
Jessica Castañeda grew up in Alta Verapaz learning to plant coffee and cardamom from her grandparents. Now she’s feeding her entrepreneurial spirit at EARTH University and working alongside fellow students and alumni during her internship in Ecuador.
Brayan Antony Gudiel Yoj
Class of 2026, Guatemala
Brayan Antony Gudiel Yoj has founded a company with his EARTH colleagues from Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nigeria to produce and sell cattle, in which he will oversee its financial operations. Upon completing his studies at EARTH, Brayan plans to help farmers receive better technical training, and pursue a master’s degree in precision agriculture.
Esteban Soto
Class of 2026, Guatemala
Esteban Soto is from the Peten area of Guatemala and graduated from the Escuela Nacional Central de Agricultura in 2022 as a Perito Agronomist. He spent two years giving back to his community by helping to develop family gardens through Young Farmers of the El Mate lxlu Villages. At EARTH, he collaborates with dairy and macadamia farmers using drone mapping to perform a soil diagnosis of the farms and advises producers on how to achieve Blue Flag certification in Costa Rica.
I know from personal experience that, at EARTH, the strong relationship between students and faculty from different geographies opens the mind and enriches the academic experience.
Edgar René De León Moreno | Class of 1993, Guatemala
Guatemalan Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food (2022-2023)
Lectureship Honors Dr. Beatrice E. Lewis
Through the generous gift of an endowment from her family, the Beatrice E. Lewis Lectureship at EARTH University was established to honor a special woman whose life inspired other women and whose perseverance in academic achievement brought her to the highest level of education. The lectureship organizes events and other inspiring annual activities at EARTH University.
Dr. Beatrice E. Lewis (1933-2017) achieved her dreams of higher education in her forties, earning a Master’s degree from Harvard University, and a Ph.D from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies, while simultaneously raising young children. A lifelong learner, Beatrice was also an art teacher, mosaic book author, design consultant, marketing director, hospice volunteer, Reiki master practitioner, bead artist, grief support group leader, and more.
She was enthusiastic, optimistic, caring, witty, and curious. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she was dedicated to family, community, and to women who face obstacles in achieving their educational dreams. Through this annual Lectureship named after her, Dr. Lewis’ encouragement to women and her example will be carried forward to future generations of female scholars.
Beatrice’s concern for families and for the well-being of women and children led her to focus her work and research in support of families with children with special needs. We hope Dr. Lewis’ accomplishments will provide positive encouragement for those who do not have support for their educational or career dreams.
Ivor Freeman | Brother of Dr. Beatrice Lewis, on behalf of her family
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