Fhlor Bautista, agricultural intern, during her internship at LMI’s campus.
When Flhor Bautista arrived at LMI from Marcala, La Paz, Honduras she never imagined she would become a mentor to other young women studying agriculture. Between August and October, she worked as an intern side by side with students in the field, creating organic fertilizers, collecting mountain microorganisms, and teaching how soil health connects to community well-being.
“One of my favorite moments was going into the forest to collect microorganisms with the students,” she shared. “They’re so creative and eager to learn. I love motivating them not only to do their practices here, but to apply them in their own communities.”
Flhor, LMI agricultural intern, giving first-year students hands-on lessons about organic fertilizer preparation.
Research That Makes a Difference
During her internship, Flhor wrote a 25-page research paper on LMI’s soil, offering practical recommendations for 100% organic agriculture. Her findings are already being applied on campus, helping to restore soil health, reduce costs, and grow healthier vegetables. “Organic practices can make our vegetables much more nutritious and help heal the soil,” she explained. “We don’t need chemicals to produce something good.”
Stepping into this role gave Flhor more than technical experience. It gave her confidence as a leader. “I had never been a mentor before,” she said. “This experience helped me grow personally and professionally. I learned how to speak, how to teach, and I realized I love it.”
Across Honduras, agriculture is often viewed as a male-dominated field, but Fhlor knows women have a vital place in it.
“Empowered women are capable of anything,” she said. “Working in the field isn’t just for men. Women can use a hoe or a machete and achieve the same results, or even better.”
She hopes more young women will see agriculture as a pathway for leadership and community impact. “Agriculture is beautiful,” she smiled. “There are so many areas. It’s not just about working with soil; you can also work with forests or water. I want to encourage women to keep going and follow their dreams.”
At just 17, Flhor entered university to study agricultural engineering. Today, she’s completing her internship with pride and gratitude. “From day one, LMI trusted me and believed in my potential,” she said. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and how much I’ve grown.”
Just as seeds need soil, water, and sun to grow, leaders need opportunity, education, and community. Through experiences like Flhor’s, LMI is cultivating the next generation of women who will nourish their communities and lead with courage.
