Southern Roots: The Story of a Young Man Who Transformed Wood into Identity and Craft

60 kilometers from Puerto Montt, in the rural area of Fresia, the story of Jairo Hernández was born. A young artisan who grew up among forests and wooden shingles, he is the heir to a family tradition linked to wood. His grandfather and father worked with alerce wood and charcoal; his mother, a pioneer in creating rustic utensils, passed on to him a passion for the grain and textures of wood. "She started with handmade spoons and bowls, without internet or machines, just with ingenuity and care," he recalls.

At 18, Jairo left Fresia and traveled to Chiloé with the intention of working in agriculture, but fate led him down a different path. With no experience in carpentry, he began by helping his mother in a small, handmade furniture workshop. "I didn't even know how to put in a screw," he confesses with a laugh. Over time, he learned and discovered in wood a form of expression and livelihood.

His curiosity led him to study administration in Temuco, where he met his wife, Natalie Manríquez. Together they founded Raíces Sureñas, an enterprise dedicated to manufacturing furniture and decorative objects with native woods like raulí, laurel, chestnut, and ciruelillo. "We like to work as naturally as possible, rescuing every piece of wood that others discard," he says.

Today, the workshop functions as a creative space where history and sustainability converge. Natalie contributes the artistic detail: she paints birds and flowers on old wooden shingles recovered from Chilote houses. Jairo, meanwhile, designs custom furniture and unique pieces that combine tradition and contemporary design.

For him, wood is much more than raw material: "Each piece carries history, culture, and a piece of the forest's soul. Working it is a way of honoring who we are as a timber-producing country."

At 31, Jairo continues to expand Raíces Sureñas from La Araucanía, participating in fairs and spreading a clear message: to value wood is also to value our roots.

From Acoforag, we value the commitment of young people like Jairo Hernández, who transform wood with respect, creativity, and purpose, keeping the artisanal heritage of southern Chile alive.

You can see the article in theRevista Contratistas Forestales