Nature in family farmers perception in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, Brazil: some perspectives for Regional Sustainable Development

Abstract

Considering the thin contact between rural activities and nature, and the fragility that permeates this relationship in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, the present research investigated some features related to the perception of two local farmers groups. The first bound to Feira Rural and the second to Capa/Ecovale. From interviews and field observations, it was possible to infer that the traced scenery shows the lack of environmental theme in most rural extension programs and careless with the sustainable development alternatives. In the perceptive comparison, there was a higher pre-disposal to preservation by farmers linked to Capa /Ecovale. In concerning, the initiatives of diversification and preservation of native areas proved to be promising, highlighting the young people performance in the productive conversion, the gender influences in management of natural resources and the role of non-governmental institutions stimulus to new prospects for regional sustainable development.