António Ventura says holiday camp organised by tFlores Agrarian Development Service is "example to follow" - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, praised the initiative carried out by the Flores Island Agrarian Development Service (SDA Flores) on July 8, 9 and 10. They organised a holiday camp for children aged between 6 and 12 as part of the Cycles project, an initiative promoted by that service aimed at recapturing the experiences of yesteryear.

"Promoting agricultural literacy in an increasingly dynamic and innovative manner, the children had the opportunity to experience various activities, from the most traditional to the most up-to-date, taking part in the production of artisanal cottage cheese, the making of homemade biscuits and ice cream flavoured with aromatic herbs," he said.

In addition, he continued, the children ‘also had the opportunity to savour a snack made with their products, including jam made from tomatoes grown in the SDA Flores experimentation fields, honey produced in the SDA Flores apiaries and homemade bread, served with aromatic herb infusions."

António Ventura defended that the SDA Flores initiative should be regarded as an "example to follow in promoting sustainability awareness among Azorean children."

The initiative was attended by 42 children, divided into two groups defined by their age, with one group consisting of children aged nine to 12 and the other consisting of children aged six to eight.

This event also included weaving activities on mini looms producing small cloths and bracelets on i-cord knitting, and making beeswax candles.

The children also transplanted dye and pollinator plants. There were also recreational moments that included traditional games such as tic-tac-toe and rope skipping.

Each child received a medal identifying the SDA Holiday Camp with their name engraved on it. Certificates of participation were delivered at the end of the event. 

According to the director of the Flores Agrarian Development Service, Alice Ramos, "the children loved taking part and, as intended, they enjoyed a good time, full of fun and learning, which means that this holiday camp was a successful experience."

In the aftermath of the initiative, the wish remains that "each child who participated in the holiday camp will be a driving force for change and that, through the learning acquired in the experiences developed with us, they can take home, to school and their social environment, objective tools that are essential for a more sustainable tomorrow."

"Each child can take home the work they have done, with the expectation that it will contribute to replicating these activities in their daily lives, helping to promote the circular economy," she said.