PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION IN DIALOGUE WITH FAMILY AGRICULTURE MEDIATED BY UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the impacts of university extension on the professional education of students involved in family farming. The study case focuses on a Project developed by the Polytechnical School at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (Colégio Politécnico da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria) that approximates students to the context of family farming in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. The participants in the project were introduced to the reality of farmers, identified their limitations and potentialities and built sustainable production strategies, which allows better quality of products and access to local markets. The method of the investigation consisted of a focal group involving three students and two technicians in the project. As a result, it was verified that the students in the project became more secure in the application of technical knowledge and were able to adapt the technologies learned in their classes to the reality of family farming. In addition, they developed communication and mobilization skills to solve problems faced by family farmers. The project also allowed students to develop their sense of cooperation, empathy, solidarity, and justice. Approximating students and farmers with the mediation of university extension activities contributes to the education of qualified professionals for the market. It also make them sensitive to social and economic contexts surrounding family farming in the region.