VMEP provides free educational support services to eligible children and youth who relocate independently or with their families in order to obtain seasonal or temporary employment in agriculture.

In English

En Español

For producers, managers, and Latino employees in the areas of work, health and the home.

The Hub is a center of educational opportunities for Vermont’s Spanish-speaking farmworker community, with classes focused on dairy technical training, computers and technology, English language learning, and general education. All classes are online and designed to suit the schedules of farmworkers, with ongoing support available from UVM Extension professionals.

This self-paced Spanish dairy worker training certificate program is designed to develop the workforce skills needed on a modern dairy farm. This program was created as a partnership through Cornell Pro-Dairy and UVM Extension's Farmworker Programming. Each module focuses on common dairy worker areas of responsibility. All materials are presented and written in Spanish. There is no charge for this certification.

For more information, email sara.riegler@uvm.edu or visit the website.

Esbey Hamilton leads education initiatives for farmworkers, including the Vermont Migrant Education Program and the Farmworker Education Hub. Esbey earned their master’s degree in TESOL from Portland State University. They have broad experience as an educator and administrator working on pragmatic, student-centered learning. Contact them with questions about program development, partnership opportunities, and data.

Email: esbey.hamilton@uvm.edu
Office phone: 802-656-4821
Mobile phone: 802-503-2009

Becca Heine develops and coordinates educational services and supports for youth farmworkers, including workplace English, GED preparation, life skills, and community-based learning. She holds a master’s degree in social work from UVM.

Email: Rebecca.Heine@uvm.edu
Office phone: 802-656-7636
Mobile phone: 802-503-2375

Stowell grew up in Proctorsville, Vermont. She coordinates the identification, recruitment and enrollment of migratory students and families into VMEP. She and her team annually visit hundreds of farm and forestry employers and schools to enroll eligible children and engage them with available educational and enrichment services. Prior to returning to Vermont, Stowell worked in human rights and rural development in El Salvador. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies from Bates College.

Email: Sara.Stowell@uvm.edu
Office phone: 802-656-7592
Mobile phone: 802-503-2114

As VMEP's Statewide Educational Services Coordinator, Danielle is in charge of the coordination and implementation of supplemental education and support services of migrant students and their families. She is currently attending a master's degree program in Leadership Studies at the Vermont University. She also holds a bachelor's degree from SUNY in cultural studies with concentration in communication, and an associate's degree in liberal studies from CCV. Her background is in human resources and administration. Please reach out to her with any questions regarding migrant students attending public schools or educational opportunities.

Email: Danielle.Turo@uvm.edu
Office phone: 802-656-7605
Mobile phone: 802-503-2022

Alexander coordinates educational and support services for migratory youth and families throughout Southern and Central Vermont. Alexander is pursuing his Bachelor's degree as a nontraditional student and understands the need to always keep learning and advancing one's career. He is a second semester Junior studying Anthropology with a minor in Spanish. Different cultures and alternative learning structures fascinate him as well. Prior to joining Migrant Education, he interned with Huertas by supporting farmworkers to garden and grow their own foods.

Email: alexander.chojolan@uvm.edu
Office phone: 802-656-7589
Mobile phone: 802-598-9534

Sara coordinates the creation, daily operation, and student services of the Farmworker Education Hub. She has a background in organic vegetable production, farmer training and education, and social services and holds a M.S. in International Agricultural Development from UC Davis.

Email: sara.riegler@uvm.edu
Office phone: 802-656-7568
Mobile phone: 802-598-9563

Isabel coordinates educational and support services for migratory youth and families in Addison, Chittenden, and Grand Isle Counties. She is a proud Nicaraguan living in Vermont since 2018. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from St. Michaels College.

Email: isabel.sanchez@uvm.edu
Office phone: 802-656-7643
Mobile phone: 802-503-2375

As the Northeast Kingdom Regional Coordinator, Maddox works in the field, visiting farms, to provide educational and support services to migratory youth and their families. Maddox comes to Migrant Ed with a background in farming and is interested in understanding local and global food systems. Maddox holds a BA in Latin American Studies and Spanish from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

Email: maddox.wilson@uvm.edu

Email: Martin.Etter@uvm.edu

Email: Karla.Elizalde@uvm.edu

Email: Danarose.Weaver@uvm.edu

Email: Meghan.Fahey@uvm.edu

Email: Robin.Timko@uvm.edu

Email: Sofia.Cintora@uvm.edu

Email: Hesi.Correa@uvm.edu