AN EXPERIENCE OF CRITICAL EXTENSION: FAMILY FARMERS TRAINING IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Abstract

This article aims to present the results of the extension project “Family Agriculture Knowledge Multipliers” developed by the State University of Rio Grande do Sul (Uergs) – Unit University of Erechim for the union leaders of the Family Agriculture Federation of Workers of Rio Grande do Sul (FETRAF/RS). This work is considered a descriptive study, of the experience report type that was developed by Uergs in 2019 to qualify 40 union leaders for FETRAF-RS. The extension project was developed by carrying out five training activities that approached: i) the history of family farming and how family farming works in Brazil; ii) the production political systems; iii) the role of the State in food production; iv) how agrifood markets works; and, v) cooperativism in Brazil. The training project contributed to the promotion of new knowledge and experiences sharing, providing collective discussions that allowed the course participants to assume a more critical and reflective stance on the topics discussed. Finally, it is suggested that new methodologies be developed to assist in the teaching-learning process of extension courses and that these will be consistent with the daily life and with knowledge of social actors.