Tagaytay City—The SVD Laudato Si' Farm welcomed a group of enthusiastic students and facilitators from the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
The visit, which took place last September 25, 2023, provided an opportunity for participants from various Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Germany, Rwanda, and the Philippines, to explore the SVD Farm's sustainable farming practices.
Around 20 students and facilitators from IIRR-SEARCA arrived at the SVD Farm at 4:00 PM. The orientation for the group, held at the Aloysius Kubo, was facilitated by Ms. Joylene Leynes, SVD Farm Operations Manager, and Mr. Juan Miguel Ala-Tolentino, SVD Farm Communications Manager.
During the orientation, Ms. Leynes and Mr. Tolentino discussed the Farm's mission, projects, and its dedication to sustainable agriculture. served as an illuminating introduction to the Farm's ethos and sustainable practices.
The discussion began with an exploration of the context of the SVD Farm. The attendees learned about the history of the Farm, its evolution and the milestones achieved in its mission to promote responsible farming. The attendees also learned about Laudato Si’, the papal encyclical about “care for our common home” which was the inspiration for the creation of the Farm, as well as the ongoing celebration of the Season of Creation 2023, during which the Farm's alignment with the global call to protect and cherish the environment is emphasized.
The orientation further delved into the Farm's six pillars of sustainability, offering insights into its holistic approach to agriculture, encompassing sustainable farming, energy, water, livelihood, knowledge, and lifestyle.
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Following the enlightening orientation, the IIRR-SEARCA students embarked on a captivating farm tour.
The tour began with a visit to the farm plots where the SVD Farm's variety of leafy greens thrived. This portion of the tour not only showcased the farm's innovative techniques in growing nutritious greens but also emphasized the farm's mission to contribute to food security while maintaining ecological balance.
Continuing on their exploration, the group arrived at the livestock area, where they engaged in a discussion about the farm's approach to animal husbandry and sustainable livestock management.
The tour then led the participants to the seedling nursery, a critical component of the farm's sustainable farming process. Here, attendees learned about the meticulous care taken in raising healthy seedlings for its diverse selection of fruits and vegetables.
Finally, the tour concluded at the picturesque St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo.
Throughout the tour, expert facilitators, Ms. Leynes, Mr. Tolentino, and Ms. Nenelyn Vargas-Rodriguez, SVD Farm Agriculturist, provided invaluable insights and shared their knowledge, enriching the participants' understanding of the SVD Farm's dedication to responsible and sustainable farming practices.
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In an interview after the visit, Mrs. Emily Monville-Oro, Acting Asia Regional Director and concurrent Country Director for IIRR-Philippines, praised the SVD Farm for its work in sustainable agriculture. “"We feel like what you are doing is really something exceptional,” she said.
Mrs. Monville-Oro expressed her admiration for the Farm's dedication to sustainability. “Since last year, I have been bringing some of our international training participants, even the global management team of the IIRR, the directors and the president, to the SVD Farm so that they can appreciate the efforts that you are doing in farming and look at how you provide livelihood to people," she said
Mrs. Monville-Oro also highlighted the SVD Farm's impact on the visiting international students from IIRR-SEARCA, stating that they would be creating reflections about their visit. She also mentioned that those she had brought to the SVD Farm in the past had witnessed its remarkable growth over time, emphasizing the positive trajectory of the Farm's development. “Those I have brought here to the SVD Farm have seen how it has grown,” she said.
Furthermore, Mrs. Monville-Oro commended the Farm's production efforts and its unique approach, saying that the Farm’s approach to agriculture “has been very good and is appreciated." She also expressed a particular fondness for the Gulayan ni San Rafael of the SVD Farm and the fresh fruits and vegetables sold there.
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The IIRR-SEARCA visit also marked an occasion for cultural exchange and knowledge sharing as participants from diverse backgrounds engaged in discussions on agricultural challenges and solutions. The SVD Farm's commitment to fostering cooperation in sustainable agriculture was evident throughout the visit.
The SVD Farm expressed its gratitude to IIRR and SEARCA for considering them as part of their learning program and its hope for further collaborations that would promote sustainable and resilient agriculture.
As the visit concluded, the IIRR-SEARCA group expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome and knowledge gained during their time at the SVD Farm, marking it as a valuable experience in their journey towards fostering sustainable agricultural practices in their respective areas.
For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.