Agribusiness in Mykolaiv region views education as a strategic priority, investing in it alongside production development. One example of farmers’ involvement in education is the experience of Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) member Maksym Maksymenko, who supported the introduction of the “Agrosphere” course in local communities.

The farmer first learned about the program during one of the initial presentations for UAC members. According to him, the decision to support the course was almost immediate.

“Such initiatives are very rare. At that time, I didn’t see a better way to engage children in the agricultural sector. So when the opportunity arose, we immediately took it,” said Maksym Maksymenko.

Last year, the “Agrosphere” course was introduced in schools across all settlements where the farmer’s enterprise operates. Three teachers were selected, trained, and certified; textbooks were purchased; and continuous support of the educational process was ensured.

The course is currently implemented at Kamiianomostivskyi Lyceum of Kamiianomostivska Village Council, Kumarivska Gymnasium of Vradiivka Settlement Council, and Vradiivka Lyceum No. 2 of Vradiivka Settlement Council. These are regular rural schools, with no paid format of education.

Local communities promptly supported the initiative, which made it possible to officially integrate the course into the educational process. Teachers are actively involved into all program activities and work with students through project-based learning.

“It is worth noting the initiative of teaching staff, who took responsibility for allocating teaching hours and ensured communication with education authorities and territorial communities,” said Maksym Maksymenko.

According to the farmer, throughout the implementation of the course, direct interaction with agribusiness has generated only positive emotions among students. The program includes meetings between farmers and schoolchildren, discussions of student projects related to agriculture, and initial ознакомительные visits to the enterprise.

Maksym Maksymenko emphasizes: “Agrosphere is not about early professional training, but about building understanding of the agricultural sector. We do not teach children a profession. Our task is to engage them and show agriculture from the inside: how machinery works, why certain processes are needed, and why it matters for the economy.”

He also noted that modern children are well-informed but often do not understand the logic and meaning of agricultural processes they see around them. Therefore, practical experience is a crucial element.

Further field visits and demonstrations of production processes are planned for the warmer season. According to the farmer, this was technically difficult during winter, but schools are already working comprehensively on expanding the practical component.

“We are currently considering a small hydroponics project, because it is important for children not only to listen but also to see and try things themselves. This format will be engaging for them,” shared Maksym Maksymenko.

At present, the course has been running for over six months, and, as the farmer emphasizes, this is only the beginning of systematic work aimed at fostering young people’s interest in the modern agricultural sector.

Background:

The Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) has announced the scaling of the “AGROsphere” educational course in the 2026/2027 academic year. The plan is to introduce the course in 500 communities and schools across Ukraine, engaging more than 15,000 students in learning about the modern agricultural sector and career guidance.

The “AGROsphere” course has been implemented for six years with the support of the educational methodological center “SvitOsvit,” based on a textbook and teaching materials. It provides students with a modern understanding of the agricultural sector — from agrotechnologies and digital solutions to processing, logistics, and sustainable development.

During 2022–2025, more than 5,000 students successfully completed the course. In the 2025–2026 academic year, “AGROsphere” is implemented in 200 educational institutions across 19 regions of Ukraine, with about 4,000 students currently enrolled. The course is already supported in communities by 30 farmers who are members of the UAC.