Extension University Project Meeting Family Farmers and Rural Settlers

Abstract

The university extension represents an important mission of the University, being characterized as a complex sector since it comprises a wide range of actions, from the direct care to the population to the offering of specialized courses, agreements, among others. This article briefly describes an experience during the development of a university extension project together small farmers, including workers from rural settlements in the State of São Paulo. The project aimed to disseminate concepts related to technology and Good Manufacturing Practices of cheeses among small producers, enabling them for production of safe food. We identify an audience with low levels of basic education and technical, which remains outside the legalized dairy market, and that has in the sale of these products their only source of income. We also observed an intention among producers to conform to legal standards, in order to formalize their productions. The experience with rural settlers showed us a significant demand from the part of this minority group, whose reintegration into society depends on great efforts of various agents, among which the Public University