Building a future for new farmers in ecological farming through vocational training

Partners Instituto Politécnico de Viseu (Portugal) Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge Association for Hungarian Organic Farming (Hungary) Non-profit, public benefit organization – objective :improve organic farming and environmental protection, dissemination of healthy nutrition BIOCERT (Italy) Scientific and technical non-profit association – mission: contribute to the eco- sustainable development through training, planning and research EOSA -Estrategia y Organización S. A. (Spain) Consulting organization specialized in the areas of Strategy and Organization in several areas Mustafa Kemal University (Turkey) Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge SUA -Slovak University of Agriculture (Slovakia) Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge SRUC -Scotland’s Rural College (United Kingdom) Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge

Objective Organize learning opportunities on ecological farming improve agriculture in a global context create new opportunities for a new educational target group (people with no formal education in agriculture who want to venture in ecological farming). The project will promote creativity and innovation in ecological farming, through relevant and innovative mobile-learning contents, and hence will improve the employment and people’s capacities in the field of ecological farming.

m-learning or "mobile learning“ - learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices (Crompton, 2013) M-learning focuses on the mobility of the learner. With the use of mobile devices, learners can learn anywhere and at any time. Furthermore, it also brings strong portability by replacing books and notes with small RAMs, filled with tailored learning contents. M-learning technologies include handheld computers, MP3 players, notebooks, mobile phones and tablets. There is also a new direction in m-learning that uses smartphone with special software such as AHG Cloud Note, for field use. M-learning, like other forms of e-learning, is also collaborative. Sharing is almost instantaneous among everyone using the same content, which leads to the reception of instant feedback and tips.

Target Group people with no formal education in agriculture, with at least a secondary degree, who want to start an activity in agriculture and to achieve economic success using ecological farming methods.

Work packages SUA - Slovak University of Agriculture Selection and transfer of existing innovative learning practices in ecological farming to the new contexts and the specific target group Association for Hungarian Organic Farming Development of a m-learning course curriculum Instituto Politécnico de Viseu Testing of m-learning modules in the new context BIOCERT Dissemination and networking of the project EOSA E-book of good practices in ecological farming Mustafa Kemal University A report/ proposal to LLP and the EU authorities for the certification of the m- learning qualification SRUC - Scotland’s Rural College Creation of a database of institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming

Timetable

Task 1: Initial conference (PT) 1.Familiarize partners with the project aims, work packages, activities and expected results. 2.Compare current local systems used by partner schools for managing the workplace teaching of skills, the recording of experience/competence and monitoring student progress 3.Explore partners concepts of support and tuition for work-based students (coaching) 4.Facilitate discussion with partners on existing training packages in ecological farming and other sustainable production agricultural systems (ECOLOGICA, COMPASS, etc) and how these might be adapted/implemented, taking into account the target group and context. 5.Make arrangements for the field tests of the m-learning module(s). 6.Familiarize partners with project administration, including financial reporting

Purpose and application as a means to guide the training offer Questionnaire: The aim of this questionnaire to know the experiences of previous training define a set of guidelines: Themes Functioning Evaluation, … for the the preparation of new contexts of training in ecological farming, in particular in the form of m- learning (mobile-learning).

Task 2: Selection and transfer of existing innovative learning practices in ecological farming to the new contexts and the specific target group (SK) 1.Analysis and selection of the best and innovative training and professional practices for ecological farming, such as COMPASS, ECOLOGICA and GPP projects and others available in Europe and other countries, 2.Adaptation of the selected packages for vocational training considering the needs of the target group (young unemployed people without any knowledge in agriculture or with an academic degree in other scientific area). 3.Collect information and describe the target group and its technical and practical needs for a professional activity in ecological farming.

Task 3: Testing of m-learning modules in the new context (PT) 1.To pilot the delivery of m-training modules, in practical courses, with a cohort of students/unemployed people organized by each partner. 2.To collect evaluation feedback from all the stakeholders (students, teachers, technical professionals) that will inform and help the final adaptation of the m-learning modules, learning and implementation processes. 3.To identify and establish a list of skills obtained for the m-earning modules. 4.To identify the best procedures for the coaching role.

Task 4: Development of a m-learning course curriculum (HU) 1.Present a clear and concise m-learning course curriculum considering ecological farming and the needs of the target group. 2.Deliver the m-training modules for the ecological farming m- learning curriculum. 3.Deliver a package of innovative learning materials in ecological farming for coaches and teachers.

Task 5: E-book of good practices in ecological farming (ES) 1.To disseminate technical information in ecological farming for new farmers. 2.To offer technical support and knowledge in ecological farmings on a permanent mobile context. 3.To preserve European languages and cultures, in order to improve communication among the different stakeholders and target groups.

Task 6: Dissemination and networking of the project (IT) 1.To develop and maintain the ECOnewFARMERS website 2.To provide an interactive forum for trainers, students or general public. 3.To support all the project networking. 4.To ensure a sustained dissemination throughout the projects and across the target group and general public, at national and international levels. 5.To produce and disseminate the project newsletter. 6.To host the data base of institutions and trainers on ecological farming

Task 7: Creation of a database of institutions and trainers focus in ecological farming (UK) 1.To gather information of institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming. 2.To promote the establishment of collaboration among institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming 3.To support the organization and implementation of further learning action in ecological farming. 4.To support project results dissemination.

Task 8: A report/ proposal to LLP and the EU authorities for the m-learning farm qualification certification (TR) 1.To collect feedback from partners and stakeholders on the appropriateness of m-learning on ecological farming skills. 2.To evaluate feedback and consider in terms of a revised skill list for ecological farming practice. 3.To translate skills list into each national language. 4.To establish a m-learning in ecological farming farm qualification.

Task 9: Final conference (PT) 1.To present and discuss project results between partners and other interested stakeholders. 2.To disseminate the m-learning curriculum in ecological farming. 3.To disseminate the E-book of good practices in ecological farming 4.To launch future m-learning in ecological farming courses among partners and other interested stakeholders. 5.To present the m-learning in ecological farming farm qualification.

Visits calendar proposal Description Loc al Data 2014 V1Inicial conference and kick off meetingAll partnersPTfebruary6/7 V2m-learning modules for testingAll partnersHUapril10/11 V3Web site for the projectIT and PTITjune26/27 V4Test experimental m-learning modulesPT and HUSKseptember25/26 V5Test experimental m-learning modulesPT and HUTRnovember27/ V6m-learning course curriculumAll partnersITJanuary 22/2 3 V7E-book of good practicesAll partnersESapril9/10 V8Database of institutions and trainersAll partnersGBjune 25/2 6 V9 Report/ proposal to LLP and the EU authorities and E-book of good practices meeting All partnersSKseptember 24/2 5 V10Final conferenceAll partnersPTdecember10/1 1

ECONewFARMERS Logos proposals

Newsletter proposal

Other issues -Feedback valuation -Teams and contacts -ADAM, the project and product portal for Leonardo da Vinci.