TAAL, Batangas – To extend efforts in delivering excellent extension services, certified and accredited extension partners and partner institutions of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CaLaBaRZon participated in the extension partners forum. Some 47 farm owners and cooperators of certified Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), School for Practical Agriculture (SPA) and accredited Extension Service Providers (ESPs) of ATI CaLaBaRZon including National ESPs, Costales Nature Farms and Terra Verde Eco Farms, graced the one-day activity.

During the forum, participants provided updates and review based on the performance and activities conducted in their respective farms. Resource speakers were invited to discuss lectures such as the 2018 ATI Calabarzon Extension Modality Updates and Activities (Sherylou C. Alfaro, Parnterships and Accreditation Services Section Chief of ATI CaLaBaRZon), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA RFO) Frontline Services for Farmers (Maria Ella Cecilia Obligado, Chief of Planning Division), Farm Tourism Site Accreditation (Joseph Lazaro, Tourism Officer) and Farm Tourism Business Opportunities (Josephine Costales, Owner of Costales Nature Farms). Furthermore, Marites Piamonte-Cosico, Center Director of ATI CaLaBaRZon, urged the participants to continue their role as active ATI CaLaBaRZon partners and to be of service to more small-holder farmers in their communities.

Up to date, there are 58 LSA, three (3) SPA and three (3) ESP assisted by ATI CaLaBaRZon. The ATI Calabarzon Extension Partners Forum was held on June 27, 2018 at Taal Maranan’s Farmville, Inc., one of the LSA of ATI CaLaBaRZon.