A extensão rural e a construção de mercados para agricultura familiar em Santa Catarina

This study mainly aims to understand the role of rural extensionism in building markets for family farming short food supply chains (CCCAs). Its central problem involved the institutional aspects that support this perspective of extensionism. For this, the socio-professional trajectory of extension workers (service time and professional training institution) and the institutional programs of the state rural extension company of state Santa Catarina were evaluated. The methodology consisted of 56 structured interviews using stratified sampling with extension workers and the documentary analysis of the institutional programs of the rural extension agency. Quantitative data were subjected to linear regression statistical analysis and the qualitative data to content analysis. The results indicate that multi-institutional programs to promote CCCAs and the socio-professional perceptions of rural extension workers are fundamental for building and consolidating the CCCAs for family farming.