A extensão rural chega ao oeste de Santa Catarina: ACARESC e a campanha de conservação do solo (1956-1970)

Abstract

In the early 20th century, the West of Santa Catarina underwent intense colonization, with mainly German and Italian farmers coming from Rio Grande do Sul. The first economic activity in the region was timber extraction, causing significant environmental and landscape impacts. Agriculture began to gain strength when the timber activity proved insufficient. Clearing the land for cultivation was done by cutting down vegetation and using controlled burns to clear the area. In 1948, movements focused on rural extension were established in the country, and in 1956, the Association of Rural Credit and Assistance of the State of Santa Catarina (ACARESC) was created. In 1970, ACARESC launched the Soil Conservation Campaign, with the municipality of Chapecó as its headquarters. Soil management techniques that were being used came under debate, prompting the need to rethink and adopt new methods of management, fertilization, and machinery. The focus of this work will be the Soil Conservation Campaign and its economic, social, and environmental impacts. For a better understanding of the historical context, the time frame chosen was from 1956 to 1970. The methodology will be based on the discipline of Environmental History.