Panel HEAD TOWARDS THE EARTH: education in farming, agroecology a permaculture.
Individuals involved in formal and informal education in the field of organic farming, agroecology, and permaculture shared their reflections and experiences. They presented projects like AgroPermaLab and educational activities at the Ecological Folk University in Grzybów. Additionally, they discussed perspectives from agricultural advisory centers, experiences of self-education among a new generation of farmers, and teaching agroecology in a Warsaw preschool. This panel was initiated within the framework of Nyeleni Polska/APLab.
PANELISTS
HOW FOR 30 YEARS WE’VE BEEN TEACHING AGROECOLOGY IN GRZYBÓW Ewa Smuk-Stratenwerth, Ecological Folk University
BIO: Ewa is a biologist-anthropologist by education. She also completed postgraduate studies in philosophy under Prof. Michał Heller in the field of Religion and Science. She founded and runs the Ecological Folk University in Grzybów. She is a co-founder and director of the Ecological and Cultural Association ZIARNO. Along with her husband Peter, they have been running an organic farm with a bakery and cheese dairy in Grzybów, Mazovia, for over 20 years.
FARMER TO FARMER. INNOVATIONS THROUGH DEMONSTRATION. Martyna Próchniak, Lubelski Ośrodek Doradztwa Rolniczego (Lublin Agricultural Advisory Centre) in Końskowola
BIO: A graduate in Horticulture and Plant Protection and Phytosanitary Control at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. She works at the Lubelski Ośrodek Doradztwa Rolniczego in Końskowola in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, specializing in organic horticulture. Privately, she is the mother of Janko and Stasio and also runs her own farm.
THE IMAGE PROBLEM OF MODERN FARMERS AMONG YOUTH. Daniel Pacek, Pacówka Farm
BIO: A regenerative farmer for three years, creating his Pacówka farm. Previously, he was actively involved in the natural building community. A social lion and pack mule for many projects. A guest with broad horizons, fascinated by reality on many levels. Educated as a teacher, masseur, yoga teacher, and beekeeper.
HOW AND WHEN TO START TEACHING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND AGROECOLOGY? – ABOUT AN EDUCATIONAL PROJECT IN THE GREEN PRESCHOOL. Marta Kurkiewicz, Rural Cooperative
BIO: Marta is a pro-ecological activist, the leader of the Warsaw NA ZDROWIE Cooperative, the founder of the Rural Cooperative in the Beskid Niski region. In the Green Preschool in Warsaw’s Bródno district she implements her own project of ecological-nutritional education. She is an animal scientist, pedagogue, and child dietitian by education.
PERMACULTURE EDUCATION Ben Lazar, Permakultura.edu
BIO: Ben is a wandering teacher and permaculture animator, the initiator of the Permaculture Map, Klub Kosiarzy’18, and the Permaculture Design Workshop initiative from 2017 to 2019. He is also a co-founder of the Food Sovereignty Movement Nyeleni Polska.
HEAD TOWARDS THE EARTH – SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH AGROECOLOGY. Joanna Bojczewska, Agro-Perma-Lab/Nyeleni Polska
BIO: Agroecology and Permaculture educator with experience in ecosystem-based cultivation in Poland and England; a graduate of the Ecological Folk University (EUL), co-founder and animator of the Food Sovereignty Movement Nyeleni Polska, initiator of the Agro-Perma-Lab training. Joanna has a background in social anthropology.
Working group for practicing and aspiring educators – individuals interested in self-education, particularly in the exchange of knowledge and pedagogical methods related to agroecology and permaculture, as well as enhancing leadership and facilitation skills.
The session began with a review of educational initiatives brought by the participants and getting acquainted. In the group (a total of 22 people), there were individuals involved in and developing education on farms, working with children and youth, with schools and preschools, in community gardens, as well as with volunteers in emerging eco-villages or in the context of Workaway. In the later part of the session, it took the form of an ‘APLab laboratory’ – where an exercise in ‘organized spontaneity’ was conducted to share effective methods of knowledge transfer and provide appreciative and constructive feedback for the development of educational competencies.
An Agro-Perma-Lab 2019 Project financed by LUSH Permaculture & Agroecology FUND.
Project partners: Schola Campesina, Ekologiczny Uniwersytet Ludowy, Permakultura.edu.pl
Listen to the recording of “Head to the Earth” panel.
