Grow Together Project

Grow Together Project has 3 sub-projects:

1. Grow Together Project x Im Juan for Talaandig

Economic development is a foundation to emancipate people from poverty. And to develop the economy in a rural community is through sustainable agriculture. To develop, it means growth and to grow it needs essential components which is the project is all about. Tun-ugan is a Sitio located in Barangay Lilingayon, Valencia City Bukidnon. The community has 46 households of Indigenous People of Talaandig sitting 1,300 masl at the foot of Mt. Kalatungan with a ranging temperature of 19°C-28°C.

Together with the Helping Humans Initiative (HHI) project, “I'm Juan for Talaandig”. Initially, there are two phases for the grow together project; Last February 16, 2018, the first phase was conducted. Volunteers and the community participated in planting fruit bearing trees for long-term investment crops and (eight) 8 varieties of high yielding and palatable sweet potatoes. Other basic crops were planted such as vegetables crops and other agronomic crops to diversify the source of food and income to cater their different needs. Bamboo was also planted for food, shelter, and protection especially erosion control and windbreakers. Tools were donated as a communal for them to share. Second phase will be about consolidation, monitoring and evaluation of the project. Initially, in this phase the farmers will learn about the good agricultural practices, financial management and techniques in plant propagation. There will be other visitations and consolidations that will be conducted with HHI to further strengthen the success of the project with the help of the Grow Together Project.

2. Grow Together Project: Catumbalon National High School Organic Garden

One way to get started is to get started. The YSEALI Grow, together with the 4H CBOP team, initiated a project for Catumbalon National High School that will encourage junior and senior high school students to include agriculture in their career option and priorities. By Opening an organic garden, students will learn first hand learning experience outside the usual classroom setting.

Last February 28, 2018, the first phase was started. The Grow Together project had established a nursery that serves as an initial source of planting materials and compost pits. Planting materials and tools were donated as a kick-start of the organic garden. Second phase will be about mentoring the students about organic garden and propagate the initial stocks of planting materials. Third phase will establish a trading post between the school garden and the community of Catumbalon.

3. Grow Together Project: AgriTALKture

The first Career Guidance organized by the team entitled: "AgriTALKture" with the topic "Choosing a Career Path" had commenced at Catumbalon National High School together with five of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Emris Love Duran, who is also a teacher of the school; Mr. Norman Vincent Robles, who is a member and a volunteer of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI); Mr. Kristopher Sulatorio, who is now a researcher at Central Mindanao University; Ms. Carla Jane Mandal, who manages Eco-Farm; and Ms. Angelica Villarta, an extension worker from the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 10.

Mr. King Jehu II Q. Radaza, the speaker of the event, is the Chairperson of the Department of Agribusiness Management at Central Mindanao University and a volunteer, as well as a member of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).

The goal of the talk was not only to encourage the youth to go into Agriculture, but as well as changing their mindset beyond the usual misconception of hard labor and dirty jobs, that is a decent profession of keeping the sustainable existence of humanity of all races and color. To let the students know that it is more than just weeding and planting crops and that it is a noble and elite profession that one could be proud of.

We are inviting you to donate to the project and be part of this growth. Let's Grow Together!

https://growtogetherproject.wordpress.com/