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Paper short abstract:

This talk explores the role of feminist practices within urban farm movements in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and their impact on democratic education.

Paper long abstract:

In this talk I will discuss the interplay between feminism and urban agricultural movements in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and their implications for democratic education. Central to the study is La Granja Puerta del Sol, an urban farm managed by Dani Ramirez, who identifies as a member of the transgender community. Their farm transcends the conventional scope of urban agriculture by challenging gender norms and promoting equity within its operational model.

Applying Michel Foucault's concept of freedom and Linda Zerilli's feminist practices of freedom as analytical lenses, I examine the farm's commitment to sustainability, care ethics, and participatory governance. Its daily workings, I discuss, extend beyond agricultural production by advocating for food justice and fostering a culture of do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos, thereby creating a fulcrum for community learning and activism. Under Ramirez's guidance, it melds urban agriculture’s core principles with a pedagogy attuned to inclusivity and environmental sustainability.

The findings reveal that La Granja Puerta del Sol is a microcosm of feminist democratic education, potentially informing broader educational strategies. The discussion will highlight how the practices at La Granja Puerta del Sol reflect feminist practices of freedom, disrupt established gender binaries, and reinforce community resilience through a model of shared leadership and decision-making. It will also assess the farm's potential as a transformative educational framework that advocates for democratic values in schools and communities.