Applying methodological tools for the integration between education, research and extension in a graduation program in agroecology

Abstract

Scientific research in agrarian graduate programs is often disconnected to field practice and
real demands of family farmers and peasants, which remain unnoticed. Strategies for improving
the research-extension linkage involving farmers need to be applied. This work describes
an experience of using participatory methodologies both in the classroom and in exchange meetings
between postgraduate students in Agroecology, in the course Methodology of Research
in Agroecology: with emphasis on soils, and farmers living close to Viçosa, in the Zona da Mata
region. The use of methodological tools to improve social awareness and reflections can be a
way of connecting concrete demands from the field to education and research.