Small farmers movement organizes two day fair and festival in Saltinho

The Movimento dos Pequenos Agricultores (MPA) is organizing the Feira e Festa Camponesa in Saltinho, a town in western Santa Catarina, Brazil, on November 27 and 28.

The event focuses on food sovereignty and popular supply. It serves as a space to showcase peasant production, cooperatives, and community projects. The festival began as a small end of year gathering but has grown each year. In 2024, the event drew 400 people for the launch of the Missão Josué de Castro.

Last year, 700 people attended a seminar and a fair. Organizers expect about 1,000 people and 100 vendors to attend this year, though they believe demand will exceed these figures. Farmers from Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, and Argentina will participate. The program includes a traditional Gaitaço musical performance on the first day.

On the second day, the event features a political table to discuss education and current affairs, a tribute to Frei Sérgio Görgen, and a traditional peasant lunch. Participants will also exchange native seeds and seedlings. Tairi Felipe, a leader of the MPA, says the event prepares the community to defend democracy and the interests of the working class.