Núcleo de Agroecologia Apêtê Caapuã

The Agroecology Center Apêtê Caapuã (NAAC) was established in 2009 at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Sorocaba campus, driven by the desire of professors and students to share rural outreach and research in agroecology.

It is an institutionalized group dedicated to teaching, research, and extension activities at the university, operating under the Tutorial Education Program – PET Connections and Knowledge – Agroecology. It is also recognized by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) as a Center for Agroecology Studies, initially funded through public call 058/2009, with subsequent renewals through funding calls 081/2013 and 016/2016.

Over the years, many creative minds have contributed to the center, leaving their mark. Currently, NAAC comprises 12 PET scholarship recipients and 5 volunteers, all undergraduate students from the Geography, Biology (Bachelor's and Teaching degrees), Pedagogy, and Forest Engineering programs. The team also includes two collaborating professors and three graduated volunteers.

Aligned with the principles of agroecology as both a science and a movement, NAAC focuses on extending university outreach to rural areas. It provides technical assistance and fosters knowledge exchange with family farmers in agrarian reform settlements, rural properties, quilombola communities, and other traditional communities in the Sorocaba region. Additionally, NAAC actively engages in political advocacy, collaborating with public and private institutions in forums, associations, and events to promote dialogue on food sovereignty, family farming, agroecology, sustainable production, and social justice.

NAAC’s activities are open to all, welcoming anyone interested in learning and participating. The team’s mission is to disseminate and acquire knowledge through the exchange of experiences, embracing the belief that everyone has something to offer and something to learn.

The Agroecology Center Apêtê Caapuã (NAAC) envisions a future where agroecology serves as a transformative tool for building sustainable and equitable food systems. Their dream is to empower rural and traditional communities through collaborative knowledge exchange, fostering resilience, and promoting practices that harmonize agricultural productivity with environmental conservation. By strengthening the bonds between academia and local communities, NAAC aspires to be a beacon of innovation and inclusivity, demonstrating that sustainable development is achievable when science and traditional wisdom come together.

Looking ahead, NAAC aims to expand its reach and impact by engaging more students, professionals, and community members in its initiatives. The team is dedicated to deepening its involvement in public policy discussions, advocating for family farming, food sovereignty, and social justice at regional and national levels. Through research, education, and grassroots action, NAAC seeks to inspire a new generation of agroecology practitioners and advocates who will champion sustainable food systems and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.