_{(This article was republished due to website upgrading. Article originally posted on July 2023.)}

The UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Organic Agriculture (IdSC-OA) and Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science (ASI-CAFS) organized a scoping workshop with DepEd Los Baños on June 7, 2023 at Galvez Hall, Agronomy Building, ASI, CAFS, UPLB.

The scoping workshop was the offshoot activity after the meeting with the Office of the Chancellor which was held on March 10, 2023. IdSC-OA and ASI-CAFS were invited to discuss possible collaborations with DepEd Los Baños in mainstreaming agriculture and organic agriculture in K12 basic education program after the successful OA Fair event held at the Organic Agriculture Research, Development and Extension Center (OARDEC).

Delegates from DepEd Los Baños were headed by District Supervisor Eva Marie Cambe together with the principals, head teachers, and Gulayan sa Paaralan Program Coordinator representatives from the different public schools. In addition, Assistant Professor Precious Dela Cruz from the Life Skills Education Department of UP Rural High School and retired Education Provincial Supervisor Lambert Perolina participated in the workshop.

Issues on the areas of curriculum structure and design, teachers expertise, field facilities, learning materials, and students’ interest and motivation in agriculture and organic agriculture were discussed. Strategies and action plans towards the identified challenges were also crafted by the participants.

UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr., ASI Director Virgilio T. Villancio, and IdSC-OA Chair Blesilda M. Calub reaffirmed their support and commitment to DepEd Los Baños to intensify youth’s awareness in agriculture and organic agriculture.

This activity hopes to contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

(CBManalo)

View other photos here: https://organic.uplb.edu.ph/gallery/