Farmers’ field schools as a method of agricultural empowerment among Indigenous Lenca women in Honduras

The farmer field school is an adult education model emphasizing experiential, participatory learning. In Honduras, farmer field school promotes gender equality and empowers women in agriculture, particularly as many male farmers migrate in search of alternative income sources. This ethnographic study explores how farmer field school women participants engage with agricultural practices and how these practices influence their empowerment and community sustainability. The research was conducted in four Lenca communities and involved 60 participants in the farmer field school bio-intensive program, with 13 sharing their experiences. Based on semi-structured interviews, drawings, observations, and photographs, the study revealed a transformation in agricultural practices through farmer field school, with women viewing farming as vital to community life and the empowerment of women through enhanced leadership and knowledge. The study highlighted the critical role of participatory learning in advancing agricultural knowledge and fostering social cohesion. This research underscores how agricultural education initiatives can empower marginalized communities and promote cultural and environmental sustainability.