Teaching in Rural Communities of the Po Valley, 1861-1900: An Idea of Agricultural Education Described by Agrarian Bulletins

Abstract

Iincreased onwards.Thetalian agricultural environmental articlemodernizationopens and a new agronomic researchin the knowledge lateperspective19th century acquired by analysingwas from partly primary howtheprimaryresult school of school teachers and vocational institutes contributed to agricultural and environmental education in rural areas of Northern Italy.These practices also raised awareness concerning social and cultural problems in rural areas. Laboratory activities and field trips played a fundamental role in teaching strategies that combined theoretical and practical lessons, putting students in direct contact with the territory and its resources. In the research presented here, three case studies are analysed.The first is the network of primary schools brought to life by resourceful teachers and the financial support of local authorities in the Monza area.The second focuses on the Practical School of Agriculture inVoghera and its field trips.The third looks at the practical training course for cellarmen that was planned in Stradella. Italian innovation in the final decades of the 19th century gave careful attention to the characteristics of each territory while also looking at highly successful didactic experiences in the most advanced countries.