Peri-urban Agriculture Internship
Grow vegetables in a healthy, economic and sustainable way
The population in the surroundings of the main cities, or peri-urban areas, has been increasing exponentially. Many families living in these areas have limited land and resources to fulfill their needs, including an adequate diet.
For this reason, as well as EARTH University’s concern about social and environmental sustainability, we have developed the Peri-urban Agriculture project that shows different agricultural systems for producing vegetables in a sustainable way, and that can be easily implemented by families in the areas surrounding the main cities.
In this internship you will learn and acquire skills, while using a practical and realistic approach and with the help of a supervisor, about agricultural production. Specifically you will learn about:
- Vegetable nutrition
- Crop management
- Substrate preparation
- Seedling preparation
- General maintenance in a variety of crops
In this project, the agricultural systems are designed to conduct hands-on activities where you can learn the different production systems in a more practical way. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate with EARTH professors and students in helping neighboring schools and communities to implement some of these agricultural systems and produce nutritious vegetables throughout the year.
Some of the agricultural systems developed in the Peri-urban Agricultural project are:
- Vertical agriculture
- hydroponic agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Floating root system
- Production on raised beds
- Recycling agriculture
- Vegetable gardens
- Composting, production and management of biofertilizers
The way the agricultural systems were arranged in the facility was intended to present a wide range of technology options that range from a more technical, high yielding and commercial system to a more simple and inexpensive system for a family’s self supply. It also demonstrates how different materials and waste from urban areas can be recycled and incorporated into agricultural practices.
At the end of this internship, the student will have learned the strategies and techniques to start a production project in their own house or community, producing healthy, fresh and nutritious vegetables thought the year.
