
Broncos On The Rise: Childhood Summers Plant Seed of Love for Farming for Ag Alumnus
Cornelio Blanco
Plant Science
Class of 2018
Cornelio Blanco learned more than just how to work the land while spending summers in Jalisco, Mexico, farming sugar cane with his grandfather.
He also learned valuable lessons about how to approach life that have stayed with him. It wasn’t just about cultivating the land. It was about cultivating a mindset and a passion that Blanco has to this day.
“Raised by my grandfather for a good part of my life, his old-school wisdom became my guiding beacon,” Blanco says. “It was there that I inherited my work ethic – an understanding that perseverance and composure pave the way. Staying grounded became my mantra, a belief that aligns everything in life towards one’s path.”
That focus and determination helped Blanco (’17, plant science) as a student at El Camino College and at Cal Poly Pomona. When applying to four-year universities, he thought about his summer work on the farm and decided to look for universities with good agricultural programs. At Cal Poly Pomona, he was able to put his experience to use and gain more working the campus’ Spadra Farm.
“I really enjoyed my soil, biology, botany and chemistry classes,” he says.
After graduating, he interned for a nursery in San Ramon and quickly received four job offers. For his current position as a farm manager at Rio Farms in Camarillo, Blanco met with co-owner Steve Gill.
“After an hour-an-half interview, he said, ‘When can you start?’” Blanco recalls. “He hired me immediately, and I am incredibly grateful and blessed.”
Although Blanco was relatively fresh out of college, Gill says he didn’t have any qualms about hiring him for a management position. Blanco had the degree, was fluent in Spanish and had a great personality, which all worked in his favor, according to Gill, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
“He didn’t have much experience, but that is probably better for us because he wanted to learn and we are teaching him everything we can,” Gill says. “He’s patient, he listens and he is willing to learn whatever it takes to get the job done. He’s not afraid of working hard.”
After two years as an assistant farm manager, Blanco was promoted to farm manager. In his current role, he plays a vital role in managing daily operations, organizing pesticide sprays, handling ground preparation and overseeing transplant crews.
The farm has a little over 1,300 acres, growing celery, green cabbage, peppers and lima beans, depending on the season.
During a recent morning at Rio, Blanco stops to chat with workers getting ready to transplant celery plants into the ground of a tilled field. On a drive around the farm, he notes a leaking irrigation pipe that needs repair and stops to give a ride to a worker who needs to get to another section of the farm.
“It’s crucial to foster strong relationships with the team, letting them know I’m here not just to lead, but also to learn,” he says. “Building these connections takes time.”
He typically works six days a week, starting his day at 6:30 a.m. and ending around 4 p.m. on weekdays or at noon on Saturdays. In the late afternoon, he often heads to the gym or takes a stroll with his girlfriend, Brendy Orozco (’19, plant science), who works as a compliance coordinator for TriCal Diagnostics, a company specializing in diagnosing plant diseases.
“I genuinely cherish the atmosphere and the work culture,” Blanco says. “Even though I might not know the workers very well individually, I consider them family. I strive to maintain open communication and build trust with them to provide support. We prefer a close-knit crew to ensure better earnings for our workers rather than hiring extensively. Also, I take pride in ensuring the farm looks immaculate.”
His main challenge lies in managing a team at a relatively young age. Blanco was 25 when he started at Rio Farms, considerably younger than many of the workers he supervises, some of whom have worked at the farm for 30 to 40 years.
“It’s crucial to foster strong relationships with the team, letting them know I’m here not just to lead, but also to learn,” he says. “Building these connections takes time.”
Blanco actively seeks opportunities for personal and professional growth, aspiring to evolve further as a leader.
In 2022, he was selected as a fellow in the California Agricultural Leadership Programopens in new window. In the rigorous 17-month program, the fellows study a variety of topics, from leadership theory to effective communication to emotional intelligence.
The program is a partnership between the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation and Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State San Luis Obispo, Fresno State and UC Davis, and includes national and international trips. Blanco and other fellows traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, the Panamanian embassy and the U.S. Congress. In November 2023, they visited Panama, Ecuador and Colombia for their international seminar.
It’s very competitive to join the program, Blanco says, adding that while hundreds apply, only 24 individuals are selected as fellows. Blanco credits the program with helping him to become more compassionate and empathetic.
“The program isn’t solely about learning leadership from textbooks; it’s an opportunity to explore and understand yourself on a deeper level. You’re given the chance to share your own narrative and experiences,” he says. “It teaches the importance of listening before responding to any situation. This learning has brought me significant self-awareness, impacting not only my interactions with employees but also within my family and personal life.”
Blanco believes in the importance of continuing to strive and grow.
He understands the agricultural aspects of running a farm, but he hopes to continue to learn more about the business side. Blanco hopes to pursue an MBA from CSU Channel Islands.
And like his grandpa, he hopes to share his love of the land with other agricultural graduates.
“I believe I can contribute to Cal Poly Pomona by introducing students to the farm,” Blanco expresses. “Many young individuals are uncertain about opportunities with an agricultural degree. Inviting them for a visit here allows them to explore. Rio Farms welcomes students anytime.”