Dialogues of knowledge in a urban garden: the theme biological pest control in a propose of non-formal education for work

Abstract

Agr iculture developed in urban environments configures special contexts, such as proximity to homes and growing vegetables, favouring the use of agroecological techniques that reduce exposure of the farmer to synthetics and toxic products. The appropriation or not of those ways of production goes through different processes of observation, dialogue and recognition of the social environmental, economic, political and cultural. These processes guide and can sustain the cultivation of vegetables. This paper proposes to think about some learning pathways through the research developed with farmers in the Community Garden COHAB, Lavras, Minas Gerais State. To reach the proposed objectives was characterized the farmers’ socioeconomic profile and their technical demands. Were used a semi structured interview guide and workshop strategy to identify demands. Thus, were designed and developed educational workshops, lectures, courses, demonstrations and visits to other municipalities to exchange experiences. A specific mo ment of return and evaluation of the results of this work with farmers and the complete team, allowed the identification of two major analytical axes: openness and potential for deepening and expand the knowledge of the garden conducted by agroecological base.