Fourth-year students of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) major in Horticulture of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), together with the CBSUA Horticultural Society and the CBSUA Extension Services Division (ESD), conducted a practical training seminar on Edible Landscaping for the youth of Barangay Caroyroyan, Pili, Camarines Sur, on November 22, 2025.
The seminar, titled “Training on Edible Landscaping,” focused on the theme “Cultivating Growth: Edible Landscaping for Self-Reliance and Community Development.” This initiative was carried out under the ESD’s project, YOUNGSTERS (YOUth empowermeNt throuGh initiativeS in agriculTural practicEs, stRategies, and innovationS). Held at the Barangay Hall from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the event saw enthusiastic participation from the local SK Council and other youth members.
The seminar successfully achieved its primary goal: to impart practical, sustainable agricultural skills to young community members. Seminars like this are vital for local communities, as they lay the foundation for self-sufficient communities where youth are active partakers. By promoting simple steps like growing food in home gardens, the training directly addresses food security challenges and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local development among the youth, proving that youth engagement has a great impact on community resilience.
The program commenced with the opening remarks personally delivered by the Horticultural Society’s mayor, Hon. Randelle P. Dogos, setting a tone of commitment and partnership. The training featured Mr. Diosdado L. Culiat Jr., owner of the Dhadz’ Integrated Farm in Pinit, Ocampo, Camarines Sur, as the resource person, who offered expertise on combining food-producing plants with decorative landscaping by presenting a detailed lecture covering various practices and materials integral to effective edible landscaping. The lecture was further enriched by the inclusion of slides highlighting his personal farm designs, techniques, materials, and design methodologies. Following the formal presentation, a concise question and answer segment was facilitated, providing participants with the opportunity to seek immediate clarification on concepts.
Following this portion of the program, participants proceeded to the practical segment, where they engaged in hands-on activities, practicing essential horticultural skills such as seed sowing and transplanting.
The organizing efforts included various seminar tasks that were supported by the CBSUA Horticultural Society led by the seniors of the Horticulture major. Other key attendees supporting the initiative were Ms. Abigail V. Guinoo, Director of CBSUA-ESD, and Ms. Abigael Rose F. Bobis, AGEX 120 Instructor. Ms. Dimanche Antonette R. Sales, a Hort-Soc Councilor and BSA 4B1 Technical Leader, served as the Master of Ceremony.
A significant component of the program was the turnover of garden starter kits. The student organizers secured generous sponsorship from the Department of Agriculture-RFO5 and the CBSUA-Organic Agriculture Center. These kits, intended to boost local youth agricultural projects, included sets of garden tools (blades of grab hoes, shovels, sprinklers, and sprayers), a bag of assorted vegetable seeds, two sacks of carbonized rice hull, and one sack of vermicompost, which were given to the SK Council.
The activity concluded with an inspirational message from SK Chairman Willy M. Cepe Jr., followed by a warm thanksgiving message from ESD Director Guinoo. The class representative and Executive Director Mr. Danilo E. Gavica delivered the closing remarks on behalf of their subject instructor, Mr. Nestor L. Gaurana Jr., marking the end of the successful extension service.| 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘙. 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴; 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘚𝘋
