WONOSOBO – “There is no love without knowing, and no knowing without being together.” This slogan of the 2025 Introduction to Agriculture Practicum proved meaningful for the new students of the Faculty of Agriculture, UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta. For three days, they lived with farming families in Blederan Village, learning firsthand about the hard work, wisdom, and simple philosophy of rural life.

Each student stayed with a host family who served as both teacher and new family during the activity. Evenings were spent in casual interviews, learning about the local economy, lifestyle, and agricultural systems. During the day, students went directly to the fields — plowing, planting, and feeding goats.

In Blederan, students also learned about integrated farming systems. Goat farming waste was used as natural fertilizer, while crop residues became livestock feed. This system created an environmentally friendly cycle that supports sustainable agriculture. “We learned that farming is not just about physical work, but also about gratitude and sincerity,” said Nadia, one of the participants.

In addition to learning agricultural techniques, students were also assigned to create a three-minute documentary video about village life. The videos became both an assessment component and a creative way to introduce the life of farmers to the public through the faculty’s social media platforms.

For the participants, the experience in Blederan was an invaluable life lesson. They returned home with empathy, respect for farmers, and a new perspective on the meaning of sustainability.

This practicum reaffirms the mission of the Faculty of Agriculture, UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta — to shape a young generation that is not only academically capable but also socially conscious, environmentally empathetic, and filled with a spirit of nationalism.