The American Corner of the Universidad Católica del Norte organized the urban agriculture activity in Antofagasta, with the participation of experts and enthusiasts of cultivation in extreme conditions.
In commemoration of Earth Day, the American Corner of the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN) hosted an urban garden workshop, highlighting the importance of agriculture and sustainability in extreme areas. The event, organized in collaboration with the Humberto González Echegoyen ecological school and its Grupo Forjadores, gave students the opportunity to learn directly from experts in the field of agriculture adapted to challenging environments.
Pablo Arán, a scientist from Antofagasta and a Fulbright scholar at the University of Arizona, was one of the speakers at the event. From his experience in crops in extreme areas, he shared with attendees sustainable techniques and practices suitable for urban and domestic agriculture. “In the talk I shared a little about myself, the activities I do and my research areas. “Then, we discuss why Chile is considered a natural laboratory and the scientific relevance of the country, highlighting its unique role in the field of astrobiology,” commented the researcher.
Subsequently, the researcher addressed his work with agriculture in the United States, focusing on the cultivation of vegetables in arid areas under extreme conditions. “In Dr. Betsy Arnold’s laboratory we study different lettuce genotypes and the associated microbial communities to identify which would be the most suitable for crops in the desert. “This approach is not only relevant to Arizona, but can also be applicable in Antofagasta, providing strategies to improve agriculture in our desert environment,” ended.
The day also included the participation of Verdical (@verdicalcl), a local organization dedicated to the promotion of urban gardens and which added practical value to the workshop. Under her guidance, participants learned how to plant and care for their own vegetable seeds at home, an essential skill for those looking to adopt a greener, more self-sufficient lifestyle.
The workshop not only offered lessons on agriculture, but also served as a space to discuss the importance of Chile as a natural laboratory for scientific research, especially in the field of astrobiology and ecology.
PARTICIPANTS
Attendees shared varied experiences about the workshop. For his part, Luis Cepilla commented that “The workshop was good, I saw very positive aspects, especially for my colleagues who do not speak English as much. I also found the information on climate change very useful,” he commented.
On the other hand, Luis Astudillo considered that his experience with the garden workshop was beneficial, indicating that “The workshop was too good. I am going to use what I learned about plants to help my mother, who cooks every day. “I learned new techniques to harvest different types of seeds, which I find very useful,” ended.
