Peasant farming schools run by La Via Campesina are training a new generation of farmers to transform food systems and spread sustainable agriculture

Rosset, Peter, Val, Valentín, Barbosa, Lia Pinheiro, & McCune, Nils. (2019). Agroecology and La Via Campesina II. Peasant agroecology schools and the formation of a sociohistorical and political subject. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 43(7-8), 895-914. 10.1080/21683565.2019.1617222

This article examines how La Via Campesina, a worldwide organization of small farmers, runs schools and training programs to teach sustainable farming approaches, named ‘agroecology’, in many countries across the world, including in Latin America. This article looks at four schools; Centro Nacional de Capacitación ‘Niceto Pérez’ in Cuba, Escuela Nacional ‘Florestan Fernándes’ in Brazil, Instituto Agroecológico Latinoamericano ‘Paulo Freire’ in Venezuela and Escuela Obrera Campesina Internacional ‘Francisco Morazán’ in Nicaragua. 

The researchers argue that these schools do more than just teach farming. They aim to create a new type of farmer who understands politics and can lead big changes in how food is grown and sold globally.

The study identifies several key ideas that shape how these schools teach:

  1. Education for the Countryside: This idea comes from Brazil and combines teaching about farming with teaching about the political struggles of small farmers.
  2. Learning from Traditional Farming: Some schools use indigenous farming systems, like the traditional Mayan milpa (cornfield), as a way to teach both farming skills and cultural values.
  3. Learning by Example: The schools use a teaching method where farmers learn from other farmers by visiting their farms and seeing successful practices in action.
  4. Learning through Action: The schools believe that farmers learn not just in classrooms, but also through participating in protests, occupying land, and working together.

The researchers highlight important features of how these schools teach:

  • They encourage farmers to share knowledge with each other.
  • They teach both farming techniques and political ideas.
  • Students spend time both at the school and in their home communities.
  • Every part of the school day, including meals and chores, is seen as part of the learning process.
  • Political activism is considered an important part of learning.
  • Students help manage the school and make decisions together.

The article introduces the idea of "territorial mediators." These are often young farmers who have been trained in these schools. They play a crucial role in spreading sustainable farming practices in their communities.

The authors conclude that these schools and their teaching methods are very important for spreading sustainable farming practices widely. They help create farmers who can lead changes in food systems. The researchers emphasize that training young people is a key goal of La Via Campesina in its long-term plan to change agriculture. This research gives valuable insights for people involved in farmer education and social movements. It shows how innovative teaching methods can create farmers capable of leading big changes in how we grow and distribute food.

The Bottom Line

This article looks at how La Via Campesina, a global movement of small farmers, runs schools and training programs to teach sustainable farming methods called agroecology in Latin America. The researchers found that these schools don't simply teach farming techniques. They also aim to create a new type of farmer who understands politics and can lead big changes in how food is grown and sold around the world. The schools use special teaching methods that combine hands-on farming, community organizing, and political education. By training young farmers this way, La Via Campesina hopes to spread sustainable farming practices widely and change the global food system.