Abstract:

Studies on social practices in a context marked by environmental degradation make clear the need for research that seeks not only to diagnose, but also to develope transformative actions within the social reality, which is a thematic interest of Educational Sciences, Environmental Psychology and Environmental Health.

Objective:
Provide a group of families the opportunities to improve habits that promote healthy eating, education and environmental preservation, as well as reducing the environmental impact caused by misuse of the land, giving them technical support in the maintenance of home gardens planted in urban spaces.

Methodology:
This mediative research, developed in the district of Petropolis, south of Manaus, Amazonas (Brazil), in partnership with the Parish of St. Peter, focused on two-hundred (200) families, choosing one member per family. The educational work proposed here was inspired by the pedagogy of Paulo Freire, whose epistemological strategy is based on the dialogical interaction of subjects among themselves and with their reality.

Results:
Members participated in educational workshops on the cultivation and consumption of vegetables, during 12 months 150 home gardens were built out of the originally 200 planned (75%). We carried out the cultivation of vegetable gardens in raised beds built on the ground in backyards, placing them on tile slabs, outside walks, and with awnings; growing various types of vegetables and greenery.

Conclusions:
This study achieved its objectives, highlighting the interrelationship of knowledge and practices that create collective identities, shared values and solidarity actions of the families involved in the better use of nature. The proposed approach favored dialogue between knowledge and creative possibilities for improving the nutrition of the people in a district in the city of Manaus.

Keywords:

Community, environmental education, home gardens.