At the Farmer’s Training Center in CTU Tuburan Campus, a new chapter in our seed sovereignty journey unfolded. In partnership with the Tuburan LGU, Global Seed Savers facilitated Seed School 1, welcoming the second batch of seed saving advocates from Brgy. Putat for two days of learning, sharing, and reconnecting with the fundamentals of organic seed stewardship.
The group was small but mighty: barangay officials, farmer leaders, and educators who each carry deep ties to the land and their communities. Together, they explored the basics of seed saving; learning how to select and store seeds, and understanding why organic seeds are the heart of a truly sovereign food system.
Although many participants already practice organic farming, few were using organic seeds. This disconnect sparked vital conversations. As one teacher-participant shared, “We’ve been practicing organic farming, but we didn’t know that the seeds matter just as much.”
This moment of awareness is exactly what Seed School is about—deepening the understanding that seed saving isn’t just a technical skill, but a practice of care, sustainability, and resistance. One teacher, an agriculture graduate, was especially eager to learn how to distinguish healthy seeds from poor ones, noting that this knowledge could be shared with her students and applied at home.
The momentum of our Seed Sovereignty Movement is growing in Tuburan! The committee chair on tourism and agriculture expressed interest in establishing a seed library at the barangay hall. With continued collaboration with the Municipal Agriculture Office and committed community members, this vision is within reach.
Tuburan is building a future rooted in seed and food sovereignty. We’re grateful to witness and walk alongside this journey where organic farming is not only practiced, but understood in its fullness: from soil, to seed, to table, and back again.
