ROSARIO, La Union - On August 6, 2018, the Closing Activity of the Adopt-a-Farm Youth Program (AFYP) Batch 8 was held at Rocapor’s Farm, Brgy. Tabtabungao, Rosario, La Union.
Rocapor’s Farm, an Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I)- accredited Learning Site and School for Practical Agriculture, was recently awarded with an accreditation from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as an assessment center. The owner, Mr. Rolando Rocapor, expressed his gratitude to ATI-RTC I for choosing his farm as the training assessment center of NC II Organic Agriculture Production and NC III Agricultural Crops Production for the AFYP Batch 8 participants.
During the graduation ceremony, certificates of completion were awarded to the five trainees of the AFYP Batch 8 who satisfactorily completed their 40 days homestay training in two of ATI-RTC I’s accredited learning sites: the Aguinaldo’s Organic Farm in Brgy. Bulbulala, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, owned by Mr. Benny Aguinaldo, and JSD Farm in Brgy. Mariquet, Solsona, Ilocos Norte, owned by Mr. Jonathan Sony Domingo. Mr. Aguinaldo and Mr. Domingo, the host farmers of the AFYP Batch 8, were awarded with certificates of appreciation.
ATI-RTC I Center Director, Dr. Rogelio Evangelista, conveyed his appreciation to the 4-H provincial and municipal coordinators, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay, and Rocapor’s Farm for their invaluable contribution and support to the said program.
Furthermore, Dr. Evangelista congratulated all the people behind the activity especially ATI-RTC I 4-H Focal Person and Project Officer, Ms. Krizel Joy L. Balucon, and the graduates who made it through the said program. “Your journey does not end here, graduates. Sana tuloy-tuloy ang inyong pagsusumikap. Huwag kayong mahihiya. You have to bring out the best in you,” Dr. Evangelista said. He challenged the graduates to strive hard to become outstanding young farmers someday.
(The Adopt-a-Farm Youth Program is under the education and training component of the 4-H Club Youth Development Program where out-of-school youths (OSYs) or even the in-school-youths (ISYs) experience hands-on training on farming activities. After the program, they will be given livelihood assistance as part of their start-up capital where they can apply the learning they acquired from the training.)