Engaging Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine Students with Organic Producer Organizations Through Alternative Agricultures: Towards Sustainable Development Goals
摘要
Alternative agriculture represents a paradigm shift toward a more biodiverse, community-centric, and climate-resilient approach to food production. Specifically, agroecology and permaculture have demonstrated the potential to address multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In anticipation of equipping future agrarian professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills, a comprehensive initiative has been undertaken to integrate these principles into their academic training. This initiative encompasses establishing two elective courses, “Permaculture Design” and “Agroecology and Organic Food Production”, complemented by two extension projects involving active engagement with a Participatory Guarantee System Group. Additionally, students have orchestrated a symposium and actively participated in local organic fairs. The outcomes of these endeavors underscore a tangible and dialogic integration of academic curricula with societal needs, characterized by a nuanced understanding and response to producers’ exigencies. Moreover, these initiatives serve as catalysts for fostering awareness among agrarian professionals regarding their pivotal role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices. This paper seeks to elucidate the process, outcomes, and observed impacts of these activities on organic producers, students, and the broader community. The insights gleaned from this experiential learning endeavor hold promise for adaptation and replication, to enhance the efficacy of educational interventions and their societal ramifications.