DILIMAN, Quezon City—The 2019 free seminar series of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is off to a good start as 370 individuals came for the first topic, Organic Farming for Newbies.

The participants were welcomed by Milagros Urbano, chief of the ATI Policy and Planning Division. She talked about the benefits of organic agriculture which, she said, is mostly "going back to the basics" of farming.

"Going organic is a long and tedious process. You need to be persistent, patient, and optimistic," she stressed.

Luis Bausa, a certified assessor and consultant to Duran Farm Agribusiness and Training Center, served as the resource person. He emphasized that organic farming should be a lifestyle for everyone to ensure good health for the family and environmental protection.

"In our households, we need to practice organic farming as a family," he urged.

Aside from the lecture, Bausa led demonstrations on the preparation of organic fertilizers. Participants were also given information materials.

Organic vegetable seedlings from the Duran Farm were also put on sale to help the participants start their own urban agriculture gardens.

"I am a retiree and I want to engage in a new venture. I wanted to learn about farming so I came here," Gina Porter, one of the participants, shared after the seminar.

The free seminar series of the ATI started in 2016 to provide the public learning opportunities about farming. Since then, thousands have attended the seminars which discussed different topics on agriculture and fisheries.

The first seminar for this year was held on January 18 at the ATI Rural Development and Education Center in this city. Another seminar will be conducted on February 8, 2019 where Mushroom Production and Processing will be discussed.