Rooted in Uruguay, Shaped by the World
Where it all began
Hello, I'm Carolina. I'm passionate about learning, working towards sustainable livestock production systems, and building connections between people, countries and cultures.
I was born and raised in Uruguay, in a family that has been farming for five generations. In the mid-1850s, my great-great-grandparents emigrated from Spain to Uruguay and settled on a cattle farm. Since then, the “gaucho and china” tradition has kept us deeply connected to the land, its history, culture and values - farming is in my DNA.
Growing up between the city and the countryside, I learnt from an early age about the rhythms and cycles of livestock and crop farming systems. My best memories from that time are from the farm. That connection sparked in me a curiosity to keep learning. However, choosing my professional path was not straightforward. Back then, farming seemed to be a man's world.
Fortunately, I managed to overcome some limiting beliefs and decided to study at the Faculty of Agronomy at the University of the Republic, Uruguay. Before finishing my degree, I had my first experience living and working abroad, on a sheep farm in New Zealand. It was the first time I saw women doing every kind of farm work — operating machinery, mustering cattle — without anyone questioning it. That experience shifted my perspective on what was possible, both professionally and personally.
Following the curiosity
I graduated as an Agronomic Engineer and confirmed that this was my vocation. Along the way, I discovered my interest in management practices that improve sustainability. My drive to keep learning led me towards topics that were innovative at the time: in 2011, I began a Master's degree in Agricultural Sciences at the Faculty of Agronomy, University of the Republic, focusing on mitigating climate change on dairy farms. After completing it, I started working as a research assistant at INIA La Estanzuela, on soils and water quality, topics that were little explored in Uruguay at the time. That work motivated me to pursue a PhD at Lincoln University, New Zealand — a country that, ten years after that first abroad experience, called me back once again — on mitigating water quality impacts from the dairy industry. That experience strengthened my scientific skills and allowed me to develop a global perspective and multicultural sensitivity. Upon finishing my doctorate, in the midst of the pandemic, I decided to return to Uruguay — though my stay turned out to be shorter than planned.
The world came calling
Turns out the saying is true, all roads really do lead to Rome. Before long, I was packing my bags again, this time to move to Italy and work at FAO headquarters as a livestock and climate change specialist. In that role, I coordinated a project that was implemented in Costa Rica and Kenya. These experiences broadened my cultural perspectives, my understanding of the diversity of livestock systems, and my vision of international cooperation. When that project came to an end, I coordinated a learning visit of a Kenyan delegation to Uruguay, as part of an initiative led by the Gatsby Africa-Gates Foundation partnership, to learn from Uruguay's sustainable livestock journey. It was a deeply enriching experience that allowed me to get to know Kenya more fully and to see my own country through new eyes.
Where I stand today
Today, back in Uruguay, I divide my time between sustainable livestock projects, international cooperation initiatives, and university teaching. I am also committed to supporting initiatives that make the work of rural women more visible.
I work at the intersection where science, policy and practice meet — because I believe it is possible to feed the world while caring for the planet and for people, and that sustainable livestock systems are part of the solution.
Always happy to have a conversation and explore collaboration. Feel free to get in touch!
Would you like to know more about me or my work? Keep reading my blog!
