Grupo AUÊ!

The AUÊ! research, extension, and teaching group, based at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), focuses on strengthening and making visible agroecological and urban agriculture practices in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte. Since its establishment in 2013, the group has engaged students, researchers, and educators from diverse backgrounds to promote agroecology as a key element in urban and metropolitan planning, environmental justice, food sovereignty, and solidarity economy. AUÊ! integrates feminist, anti-racist, LGBTQIAP+, and youth perspectives into its work, fostering inclusive and participatory approaches to agroecological transformation.

Rooted in a history of academic and grassroots initiatives at UFMG, AUÊ! connects research, teaching, and community outreach to expand agroecology’s role in urban landscapes. Its interdisciplinary approach links urban agriculture with socio-environmental conflicts, agrarian issues, and collective organization, emphasizing food security and sustainable land use. Unlike traditional agroecology centers, AUÊ! operates within a geosciences institute, bridging social and environmental dimensions of agriculture in urban and peri-urban spaces, demonstrating that agroecology extends beyond rural areas into metropolitan ecosystems.

AUÊ! emerged from collective dialogues and experiences, evolving into an organized network that actively contributes to Brazil’s agroecological movement. It became a recognized Agroecology and Organic Production Center (NEA), despite being housed in a non-agricultural academic setting. Its engagement with national agroecology networks has amplified the visibility of urban and peri-urban farming practices. AUÊ! played a significant role in regional and national agroecology gatherings, advocating for the integration of agroecology and democracy to unite rural and urban struggles, reinforcing the need for resilient and just food systems.

Find out more (in Portuguese)
https://www.aueufmg.org/quem-somos
https://aueufmg.wordpress.com/sobre/

AUÊ! seeks a future where agroecology is fully integrated into urban and metropolitan landscapes, promoting food sovereignty, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The group aims to expand its research and reach by strengthening networks that connect farmers, activists, and academics to co-create knowledge and promote agroecological practices in cities. By uniting academic and grassroots efforts, AUÊ! seeks to influence public policies that support urban agriculture, strengthen community resilience, and challenge socio-environmental inequalities. Its goal is to make agroecology not just a rural practice, but a transformative approach to reimagining urban spaces, ensuring access to healthy food, and building a more just and sustainable society.