Educational approaches, rural extension and family farm in Biguaçu, SC

Abstract

The article presents the adaptation effort, application and description of the "Research Focus" (FREIRE, 1975) associated with Pedagogical Moments (DELIZOICOV, 1991) as a basis for the development of rural extension programs - a combination hitherto used only in the area of science education. The study was conducted with rural communities in Biguaçu, on the coast of Santa Catarina, with the initial goal to understand the reasons for the low participation of the population in the activities proposed by extension agents as well as rural conflicts between families. We point out the "market" as a unifying theme, which synthesizes a set of "generative themes": a) permanent preservation areas and forest - including the clandestine production of charcoal hitherto ignored by the technical assistance agencies, b) the intensive pesticides on some crops, c) food security; d) technical assistance. We conclude that the failure to address issues of the population is a major cause of low participation and suggest a sample program to start work from the generator theme related to the forest. Based on discussions generated during the research and developments of the proposed topic in activities that include field experiments with forest and cassavas, dialogue with environmental agencies, legalization of activity charcoal and search for differentiated markets, we conclude that the approach is, of indeed, the potential for rural extension work and alerted to the need for in-service training and insertion of this type of content in the curriculum of agricultural sciences.