STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan – On 9 December 2017, the Joint Graduation Ceremony of the Out of School Youth (OSY) Field School on Integrated Farming System with Enterprise Development/Academic and Technology Integration, and Values Education (AcTIVE) for 4H Young Farmers was held at the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I), Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.
A total of 29 graduates composed of 18 trainees from Batch 1, and 11 from Batch 2 received their certificates for completing the three-month training course. They came from the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Sur. In coordination with the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail, the OSY field school/training produced several graduates whose parents are inmates.
The graduates passed the assessment on Organic Agriculture Production NCII and Agricultural Crops Production NCIII at the Marcos Agro-Industrial School, TESDA, Marcos, Ilocos Norte. They finished their training at eight different farm sites, namely; D’Green Earth Organic Garden in Lipit-Tomeeng, San Fabian, Pangasinan, owned by Mr. Alexander Disu; MaDoMas Farm in D’Alarcio, Laoac, Pangasinan, owned by Mr. Domingo Dulay; AMA Farm in Mermer, Manaoag, Pangasinan, owned by Mr. Eduardo Aucena; Puregreen Eco Farm in Malabago, Calasiao, Pangasinan, owned by Mr. Ramon Reyna, Sr. ; Rocapor’s Farm in Tabtabungao, Rosario, La Union, owned by Mr. Rolando Rocapor; Siababa’s Farm in Sagayaden, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, owned by Mr. Bonifacio Siababa; Malakas Farm in Muraya, San Juan, Ilocos Sur, owned by Mr. Robert Viloria; and Bakaan Farm in Poblacion Sur, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur, owned by Vice Mayor Ninya Grazielle Itchon. ATI-RTC I awarded certificates of appreciation to the eight host farmers who adopted and trained the 4H young farmers.
Mr. Jose Martin, Municipal Administrator of Solsona, Ilocos Norte, graced the occasion as the representative of Mayor Alexander Calucag. Martin conveyed Calucag’s inspiring message to the graduates. “To all the trainees/graduates, this training, conducted by ATI-RTC I, is a good opportunity and motivation for all of you in reaching your goals in life especially in the Agriculture Sector,” Martin said.
ATI-RTC I Center Director, Dr. Rogelio C. Evangelista, expressed his gratitude to the three provincial local government units of Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Sur for their support. Likewise, he thanked all the parents of the graduates for letting their children join the training.
Evangelista also encouraged the graduates during their graduation day. “Your journey will not just end here. ‘Yong mga napuntahan ninyong farms, alam nila ang mga kapasidad ninyo. Pagkatapos nito, puwede nila kayong kunin as their partners na tutulong sa kanila. Kung may mga activities or training sila kung saan kayo ay competent, puwede nila kayong kunin as resource speaker. We hope na itong training na ito ay mapagkukunan natin someday ng sinasabi nilang ‘Successful Young Farmer’,” Evangelista stated.
Evangelista added that the graduates' competency is not only applicable locally, but internationally. “To all of you, dream, achieve and believe in yourselves. Congratulations,” Evangelista told the graduates.
Parents of the graduates were happy and proud to see their daughters and sons progressively reach their dreams with the help of ATI-RTC I. The host farmers and the provincial/municipal coordinators were happy for them as well.