TAGBILARAN CITY – The 4-H Club in the Philippines through the Agricultural Training Institute in Central Visayas is making waves for both in and out of school youths in the region. Since one of the major thrusts of the club is to reintroduce agriculture in basic education, thus, this collaboration is timely.
In August of 2018, the ATI-7 through the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) conducted a season-long 4-H Garden in School dubbed as School Youth in Sustainable and Healthy Living with the objective of promoting food security in schools and communities through self-help food production activities and values among learners and at the same time appreciation of agriculture as a life support system.
This activity is in collaboration with the Holy Name University, Basic Education Department, this city, the first private school who adopts and implements 4-H Club in the province.
The recipients of this season-long training were 114 Grade 5 pupils with the following methodologies used: lecture-discussion in a staggered scheme; experiential sharing; hands-on demonstration on seed sowing, seedling preparation, and transplanting; learning journey to established Garden in the school and field day.
Spearheading this activity is Dr. Gracia F. Arado, ATI-7’s Training Center Superintendent I who is the Region’s 4-H Focal Person with Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio, Center Director together with Ms. Pamela N. Respecia, Support Staff and Alternate RBO Coordinator and Ms. Merigine Otara, Planning Officer of ATI-7 as resource person, in coordination with Dr. Prisciano S. Legitimas, Principal, Basic Education Department of Holy Name University thru Dr. Jean Roy, MAPEH and HELE Coordinator.
The culmination program of the season-long garden was last March 21, 2019 with 114 grade 5 pupils who successfully finished the activity and through the kid’s enthusiasm, ATI-7 acknowledged their efforts by recognizing these children through special awards like Best Garden Design; Green Thumb; Young Agriculturist; Garden Keepers; Inquisitive or Buzz and the Great Vines.
The hashtag “catchtheyoungforAgri” was inscribed in their farmers’ hat as a token of appreciation from the institute.