This month we are going to discover more about the FarmBox project and its genesis by meeting TXORIERRI, our Spanish partner.

Can you present yourself and TXORIERRI?

Politeknika Ikastegia Txorierri is a co-operative society that was founded in 1979. Since 2007 it has been increasingly committed to internationalisation with the aim of bringing modernisation

and innovation to the centre. Txorierri has focused on successful European initiatives to develop and implement best practices, collaborating in different international programmes.

My name is Miren Arrien and I am responsible for this project from TXORIERRI. Together with my peer Naiara Yuste, the teacher expert on this topic, we are in charge of developing the modules on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

What is the role of TXORIERRI in FarmBox?

TXORIERRI will host the 3th TPM and realize a National Workshop at the end of the project. It will also realize all managerial matters pertaining us, participate in the dissemination activities, take part on the Quality and Assurance tasks and help with the Exploitation and Sustainability plan. Furthermore, TXORIERRI participated in the realization on the initial questionnaire to gather input about the stakeholder knowledge and interest in CSA. Regarding the IO1 and IO2, TXORIERRI is responsible of developing a beginner and advance level modules on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. It will also create the guidelines for trainers and lecturers on how to integrate the modules during the lectures and lessons. Moreover, it also supports the creation of the Simulator and participate in the internal testing and piloting of it.

Can you explain a bit more what is the MOOC and the Simulator and their contribution to the project?

The MOOC will consist on various modules on different themes all related to the agricultural education and agriculture sector itself. Each partner selected their topic of expertise and will provide two modules of different levels (beginner and advanced) that will aim to expand the current knowledge on the issue that will help with the knowledge acquisition, practice and future planning and implementation.

However, the ultimate aim of the project is to create a consciousness on the importance of a sustainable environment and labor ecosystem that will support future generations.

Regarding our specific modules, the topic is about Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. The aim is to understand the legislative context related to the mentioned topic at international and national level, the measures taken on the field and to know about carbon footprint calculation methodologies.

The Simulator will be developed as a teaching tool that will also be useful for a more practical approach. It will also provide the possibility of being used as a planning/implementation tool. In this specific matter, TXORIERRI will support the leading partners by giving inputs and feedback on the internal testing. Later on, it will also participate in the piloting of the Simulator, specifically with the students and teachers of the Environmental Control & Education official course.

What’s the importance of offering Open Education Resources (OERs)?

The Consortium agrees on the necessity of Open Education Resources to promote the initiatives that not only help the improvement of knowledge, but also implement digitalization in all the areas that can improve the engagement on the field. Thanks to these characteristics, the possibility of good practices exchange that will help shaping future agents on the area must be highlighted as a great opportunity. The partners hope that the accessibility of the materials and tools will promote the interest on the field and attract more people.

What are the benefits for students and farmers who are going to access to the project results?

Thanks to the accessibility of the materials, all interested agents will have access to the MOOC courses that will help expand their current knowledge on the field. On the other hand, the Simulator will provide a three-use goal (teaching, practicing and panning or implementation tool characteristics) depending on the expertise of the target audience.

Why do you think is important to shed lights on Climate Smart Agriculture?

The project Consortium believes that the importance given to this specific area is not enough. Climate Smart Agriculture and green-based economies are necessary to build a sustainable economy and environment that will help the upcoming generations. Climate change is a reality and its negative effect are becoming more and more visible. Moreover, the consequences of the pandemic have been quite important on this field. Therefore, the project partners believe that digital tools and resources are fundamental, as they not only exemplify the future but also provide an opportunity to boost the knowledge on urgent topics and improve their visibility to a wider public.