Recovering of cultural patrimony and of seeds genetic resources.
The gardeners of the region grow seeds and observe all the cycle, put the seeds in the bank and exchange them with other gardeners. Simultaneously, documentation about the characteristics of the seeds is elaborated.
During the months of May and November 2011, we did an introductory training to E.A. (ecological agriculture) and Permaculture, aimed at immigrants in social exclusion. The main aims of the training were to provide the necessary skills to participants to manage their life projects into the countryside, with an ethical basis of love and care towards people and mother nature. The course had the support and collaboration of local and regional organizations such as Caritas Diocesan, Fundació Roca i Pí, Monestir de Sant Jeroni de la Murtra and the network of centers for immigrants (XEDI).
Objetivos
This practice allows gardeners to network and share resources. It promotes intergenerational dialogue. It is an innovative methodology to conserve cultural patrimony.
The elements identified as good practices are: networking with other organisations before the beginning of the training; Innovation implementing a training for people in a high degree of social exclusion; it enables the students to acquire skills and knowledge in order to be employed or to self-employ; revalorizing the suburban and rural areas which are going into disuse as an alternative way of life.
Materiales
Aplicación
Evaluación
Positive: participants are more collaborative and there is a general feeling of personal satisfaction
During the development of the training, we conducted weekly meetings with students that helped to improve the communication between all actors involved in the training (students, teachers and supporters).
At the end of the training, the teachers made some tests on the knowledge and skills acquired during the training. Students also had the opportunity to evaluate teachers and supporters.
Consejos
AIMS
- Conserving old local vegetable varieties
- Recovering the agricultural knowledge and the culture associated to the country and cookery
- Promoting the use old varieties in organic gardens of the region
OUTCOMES
- Agricultors are able to decide about their own genetic resources
- Agricultors are able to exchange information and seeds.
- The values of agroecology and importance of local varieties are spread
- Self-consumption gardens are self-managed.
- A dialogue is established with the elderly.
The aim of the course consisted in the participation of 15 vulnerable immigrant people that could acquire the necessary training to produce organic and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Another aim was to provide a welcoming space and an accompaniment and training period training that could enable them to revalorize the potentiality of rural areas as a means of employment.
The desired results were:
- To achieve a level of employment in ecological agriculture of 65%.
- To release the Catalan agricultural environment and the peasant reality among the students (result indicator: 5 visits to AG consolidated projects).
The concrete results we got after the course were:
- Nº of contracts of placements
- % of professional integration
- Evaluation of contains by teachers
- Nº and type of projects of AG consolidated that have been visited
