BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte – Thirty (30) members of the 4-H Club attended the Refresher Course on Agri-Crops and Livestock Production for 4-H Club Members from October 23 to October 26, 2018 at the Luxury Hotel this city.

The purpose of the said training was to acquire knowledge on the overview of sustainable farming system, explain the cultural management practices for vegetables and livestock production and appreciate the benefits gained on organically producing vegetables and livestock-based farming system.

During the first day, the welcome remarks was done by Jocelyn A. Bayona, TS III and CDMS Chief of ATI-RTC 13. She reminded the participants to observe and absorb the lessons that they may gain during the four-day training. Since the participants already had existing projects in their respective areas, they were tasked to draw the lay-out of their farms/projects. There was also a discussion about farm tourism during the training and this was delivered by Samuel L. Calonzo, OIC-Center Director of ATI-RTC 13. In his introduction, he presented sample pictures of the farm tourism/learning sites he had been to both within and outside the country. The presentation inspired and aroused the interests of the participants in levelling-up their area into farm tourism site. Before Mr. Calonzo ended, the participants had a workshop on what are their plans. They were encouraged to adopt the practices of successful learning and farm tourism sites.

On the second day of the training, the discussion on Livestock Production was delivered by Olegario Ayensa Jr., owner of Country Fields Agriculture, who has been also successful in his field of specialization. He was able to share his experience and has related it to the current situation of the participants' projects. The participants had a workshop on feed formulation before Mr. Ayensa ended his topic. In the afternoon, Perlito Montanez, owner of Montanez Agri-Ventures, discussed on Poultry Production. He put emphasis on the best practices that he had done in his farm where he thinks useful to the participants.

On the third day of the training, the topic on Vegetable Production was discussed by Eric Ancheta, Agricultural Technologist from the City Agriculture Office of Butuan City. In his discussion, he mentioned the practices that he does in his farm. He also discussed the misconceptions known by the participants and corrected them. On the afternoon session, Engr. Matt Andrew G. Baquiano, Agriculturist I of of ATI-RTC 13, discussed on Climate Change. He emphasized that in farming, the climatic condition is one of the most important factors that needs to be considered. They also had a workshop on Farm Planning and budgeting which was actively participated by the participants.

Part of the training program was a farm visit to a successful farm tourism site which was done during the last day. The ATI Staff and the participants then headed to Palarca Farm Tourism Site located at Tagcatong, Carmen, Agusan del Norte. They were oriented by the owner Victor Neal Palarca and they were amazed on how he started his farm. The participants were able to ask Palarca on his insights and how he managed to resolve problems he encountered. As the participants arrived at the training venue, the closing program then followed. Jocelyn Bayona thanked the participants for their full cooperation for the success of the training. Bayona also reminded them that whatever they have learned, they should share it to their community.