Photos: Sergio Betancort
The "Ecological Farmers in School" Project, carried out by the Association for Rural and Fisheries Development of Lanzarote (ADERLAN), was closed this Saturday, May 3, in an event held at the Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente Park, located in the municipality of San Bartolomé. Thus, the final touch was put to this initiative that has been developed by the association during the 2016/2017 academic year in the Infant and Primary education centers of the island.
The event, which had the collaboration of the San Bartolomé City Council, had the objective of "disseminating and transmitting to families and society the achievements obtained with the development of the project, making them participants in the values and knowledge acquired." Attendees could enjoy an exhibition space and development of workshops on some topic related to organic farming, composting, vermiculture, healthy eating, and recycling.
There were also animation activities and a play related to the subject of the event. In turn, in each stand, there was a representation of the students who have been part of this initiative who showed their vision of the project and exhibited a sample of what was collected in the orchards. Finally, participation and recognition diplomas were given to the educational centers.
With the participation of 1,100 students from the island
"Ecological Farmers in School" is a project that addresses issues around the conception of agriculture from its beginnings to the present, on the problems generated by the conventional production model (repercussions on health, disappearance of traditions and local culture, imbalances in ecosystems), on the importance of ecological agriculture as a viable model to provoke change, as well as the role played by critical and informed consumers in the development of a more ecological production, fairer trade and healthier food.
A total of 1,100 students from Infant and Primary Education from the educational centers of: Arrecife (CEIP Adolfo Topham, CEIP Benito Méndez Tarajano, CEIP Capellanía del Yágabo, CEIP Titerroy, CEIP Nieves Toledo and CEIP Mercedes Medina Díaz), San Bartolomé (CEIP Ajei, CEIP Playa Honda and CEIP Mª Auxiliadora), Haría (CEIP San Juan, CEIP Las Mercedes and CEIP La Garita), Teguise (CEIP Nazaret, CEIP La Caleta de Famara, CEIP Los Valles, CEIP Tiagua, CEIP Muñique, CEIP Soo, CEIP Guenia), Tías (CEIP Alcalde Rafael Cedrés), Tinajo (CEIP Guiguan), Yaiza (CEIP Uga and CEIP Playa Blanca) have participated in it.
The project, financed by the State Public Employment Service, the Canary Employment Service, the Disa Foundation and the Cabildo of Lanzarote, has had a duration of 6 months, beginning to be developed at the end of November 2016 until the end of May 2017. For its execution, an agricultural technical engineer, a social educator and two agricultural foremen were hired through the Canary Employment Service.
