Valuing agriculture in the community and demystifying some preconceived ideas about the profession is the aim of the “Semear para crescer” project, promoted by the O Gu e a Tita school in Praia da Vitória.
“There is a need to foster in the community a new expectation of agriculture, a new vision, a real vision, which values agriculture and the products that reach our table,” said Sónia Pimentel, the school’s coordinator, in a statement to DI newspaper.
Since 2019, agriculture has been a motto for educational learning at the O Gu e Tita private school.
“In our curriculum, all the subjects cut across agriculture. We use our knowledge of agriculture to work on math, language, English and motor skills,” explained Sónia Pimentel.
This year, in partnership with the Association of Young Farmers of Terceira (AJAT) and with the support of the Regional Government, the “Semear para crescer” project will be extended to a public school in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.
It also reaches the community through recreational and educational events in which children and families are invited to follow the day-to-day life of a farm.
“They have the opportunity to follow the whole routine of a farmer, to understand how they take care of the animals, how the milk is harvested, etc. They also have the chance to take part in a fun educational workshop, take photos and taste Marca Açores products,” she says.
“In this way, we believe we will show what agriculture is, what is done every day, bring people closer to agriculture and create a taste for it,” she adds.

The first event occurs on the 18th at the Ávila Holsteins farm, but the 30 open places sold out in just over 24 hours.
“We can’t take any more, because we can’t have a much bigger group to be with the animals. We’re splitting the group into two. While one does the workshop, the other accompanies the animals and then we swap,” revealed Sónia Pimentel.
The aim of the project’s promoter is to replicate it in more schools on Terceira Island over the next few years and gradually change mindsets about a sector that has a significant weight in the regional economy.
“What we want to do is take this to other schools, show them a bit of what they can do and also bring the community and families closer to what agriculture is, with the aim of valuing it and demystifying it a little. To show that the profession of farmer has the potential to grow. It’s the strongest economic area in our region and we have to value what we have best,” he said

In Diário Insular – José Lourenço-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.