Contributory project: It is designed by members of the scientific community, and citizens participate in data collection.  Collaborative project: Citizens participate in data collection and analysis.  Co-created project: Citizens participate in all stages of the scientific process. 

Co-produce knowledge and systematize lessons learned from the agroecological transition of the Cuyo region, with special emphasis on soil management and changes in agricultural practices, based on discussions among different stakeholders. 

Co-design an open technological infrastructure to systematize, share, and visualize relevant information for different agroecology stakeholders in the Cuyo region.  Monitor soil health indicators with open laboratory tools and instruments.  Gather information in a participatory manner about productive spaces and agricultural practices to assess their impact on soil health.  Develop public communication strategies that make open data available, make information visible, and tell local stories about the agroecological transition. 

During in-person workshops, free and low-cost technologies are used to address different aspects related to soil health, as a way to channel discussions and promote a knowledge exchange among farmers. The goal is to “reanimate” soils through community, scientific, and artistic practices that trigger new ideas for the renewed soil. The tools developed are focused on visible dimensions of the soil, such as its inherent complexity, microbiological diversity and activity, and its relationship with organic matter. In each workshop, some aspect of soil health is addressed and a basic guide is produced for citizens to analyze their samples, share their soil stories, and share some insights and conclusions about their practices. Data collection and analysis uses baseline protocols that are then fed with local knowledge shared by producers. Moreover, freer research processes are developed where producers participate in all stages of the research, from design, production, analysis of the results, and elaboration of new work hypotheses.

6/12/2019 - N/A.

Fernando Castro, Cooperativa Ayllu and School of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo)  Laura Costella, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA)  Facundo Martín, Centro de Formación e Investigación Campesina (CEFIC) and National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET).  Julia Astegiano, Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones en Zonas Áridas (IADIZA), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)  Pablo Cremades, Exact Sciences School, National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo) (UN Cuyo) 

Email: ferhcastro@gmail.com, marialauracostella@gmail.com, fdmartingarcia@gmail.com  Website: regosh.libres.cc/proyectos/lab-agroeco-abierto/