Some lessons can never be learned inside a classroom. They must be walked across open pastures, heard in the voices of those who dedicate their lives to the land, and understood through the quiet rhythm of animals grazing beneath Atlantic skies.
That was the experience recently shared by the Fresno State students participating in their month-long internship on Terceira Island, thanks to the generous welcome of the Núcleo de Criadores de Bovinos de Raças de Carne da Ilha Terceira (Association of Terceira Island Beef Cattle Breeders).
As part of their educational program in Angra do Heroísmo, the students were invited to learn about one of the island’s most important agricultural sectors through an engaging presentation delivered by Dr. Alexandra Ramos, whose knowledge, professionalism, and passion for the industry offered the students an outstanding introduction to beef cattle production in the Azores. Following the presentation, the students visited local beef cattle operations, where theory quickly became reality. There, among the island’s volcanic pastures, they witnessed firsthand why Terceira has earned an international reputation for producing some of the highest-quality beef in the Azores. The visit perfectly reflected the Association’s commitment to education, outreach, and ensuring that future generations understand both the science and the heritage behind one of the Azores’ most important agricultural industries.
Founded on May 29, 2005, the Association is the only regional organization in the Azores dedicated exclusively to beef cattle producers. For more than two decades, it has worked tirelessly to strengthen the sector through genetic improvement, technical assistance, education, professional development, advocacy, and innovation. It serves both purebred breeders and commercial producers, ensuring that the future of Azorean beef remains rooted in quality rather than quantity.
The Association’s mission extends far beyond supporting individual farmers. It organizes training workshops, field days, educational conferences, study visits, and the annual ExpoCarne Açores, while also providing specialized equipment, technical services, and guidance to its members. Its philosophy is simple yet profound: by helping each producer improve, the entire agricultural sector becomes stronger.
Much of the Association’s success can be credited to its dynamic leadership under the presidency of André Borba, a young agricultural professional whose vision reflects both innovation and a deep respect for Terceira’s rural traditions. André is no stranger to Fresno State. Several years ago, he himself spent a month at Fresno State through an agricultural exchange program, an experience that broadened his perspective on international cooperation and the value of sharing agricultural knowledge across borders. Today, he brings that same spirit of collaboration back to the Azores, helping lead one of the region’s most respected agricultural organizations. Under his leadership, the Association has continued to expand its educational initiatives, strengthen support for beef producers, advocate for the sector at the regional level, and promote the excellence of Azorean beef. His journey—from exchange participant to agricultural leader—beautifully illustrates how international partnerships can come full circle, enriching both communities and inspiring a new generation of agricultural professionals.
For the Fresno State students, many of whom had never experienced this aspect of Azorean agriculture so closely, the visit became far more than an agricultural presentation. It offered a deeper understanding of how sustainability, science, tradition, and family farming come together to shape one of the defining landscapes of Terceira.
They learned that behind every herd stands generations of accumulated knowledge, careful breeding decisions, environmental stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to producing exceptional beef while preserving the island’s unique rural heritage. They discovered that Terceira’s celebrated green pastures are more than picturesque landscapes—they are living classrooms where innovation and tradition walk hand in hand.
Experiences like this remind students that agriculture is not merely an industry—it is culture, identity, stewardship, and community.
The Fresno State internship seeks precisely these moments of authentic learning, where academic knowledge meets lived experience. Every visit, every conversation, and every partnership helps students better understand the social, cultural, environmental, and economic fabric of the Azores.
Programs like this, however, do not happen by accident. This remarkable month-long internship exists because of the generosity of countless organizations, businesses, sponsors, institutions, and individuals who believe in investing in young people and in building bridges between California and the Azores.
Among those whose dedication makes this experience possible is Liliana Borba and her caring family, whose generosity, hospitality, and unwavering commitment have become one of the quiet foundations upon which this entire program rests. Their willingness to open doors, connect communities, and create opportunities embodies the very spirit of Azorean hospitality—a generosity that expects nothing in return except that knowledge, friendship, and understanding continue to grow.
The Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at Fresno State also extends its deepest appreciation to the entire leadership team of the Núcleo de Criadores de Bovinos de Raças de Carne da Ilha Terceira. Under the leadership of President André Borba, and with the dedicated service of Vice Presidents Manuel Sousa and Emanuel Sousa, together with Board Member Manuel Dinis, the Association continues to provide exemplary leadership for Terceira’s beef cattle sector. Their collective commitment to producers, innovation, education, and the future of Azorean agriculture is evident in everything they do. Together, they represent a new generation of agricultural leadership—one that honors tradition while embracing new ideas, collaboration, and international partnerships.
The Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at Fresno State also offers its sincere gratitude to Dr. Alexandra Ramos for her outstanding presentation to our students, which provided an informative and engaging introduction to the island’s beef cattle industry before they stepped into the fields themselves. Her expertise, generosity, and enthusiasm transformed technical knowledge into an accessible and memorable learning experience, setting the stage for a day that many students will long remember.
As the students returned from the island’s green pastures, they carried with them far more than photographs or memories. They had encountered people like André Borba and his Board of Directors—leaders whose lives demonstrate that agriculture is built as much on relationships as on livestock, as much on shared knowledge as on tradition. In seeing how one former Fresno State intern now helps shape the future of Azorean agriculture, they also saw what these exchanges are truly meant to cultivate: lifelong partnerships, mutual respect, and the conviction that learning knows no borders.
The Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Association, its Board of Directors, Dr. Alexandra Ramos, the many cattle producers who welcomed our students onto their farms, and everyone whose generosity made this unforgettable experience possible.
Long after these students leave Terceira, they will remember more than the breathtaking green fields stretching toward the Atlantic. They will remember the people who welcomed them into those fields, shared their knowledge with pride, and demonstrated that the future of agriculture is built not only with innovation, but with generosity, collaboration, and an enduring love for the land. In the end, the greatest harvest of the day was not measured in cattle or pasture, but in friendships forged, knowledge exchanged, and bridges strengthened across an ocean that continues to unite, rather than divide, two communities committed to learning from one another.
By Diniz Borges based on information received from the Núcleo. Photos by Liliana Borba.