Featured Student: Vera Azucena Velásquez Navarro

Agricultural Engineering, UCATSE El Jicaro, expected graduation 2013
The daughter of a farmer and a baker, Vera has wanted to study agriculture since she was 15 years old, particularly because she enjoys feeling connected to nature. Her studies have been very hands-on, as she is learning how to take better care of the planet and improve soil quality.
In addition to classes, she helped supervise a community reforestation project where she learned how to identify and treat plant diseases, in addition to the importance of plants for air purification. She also works with her mother as a street vendor of rice, bread, and donuts.