In the heart of Negros Occidental, Global Seed Savers held a transformative Seed Sovereignty Forum (SSF) at CPSU – Moises Padilla Campus. In collaboration with World Vision and the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), the forum brought together local farmers and agriculture staff to lay the groundwork for future seed saving efforts and deepen understanding of why organic seeds matter.

Farmers openly shared their eagerness to join the upcoming Seed School trainings, motivated by the dream of growing their own organic seeds and tasting the rich diversity of vegetables that native seeds can offer. One participant shared their excitement: “We’re happy to receive the seeds, and we really hope they thrive here.”

What stood out most was the inspiration drawn from senior citizens who are still active seed savers—living examples that it’s never too late to protect, plant, and pass down traditional agricultural knowledge.

The timing of this forum couldn’t have been better. Many participants have long depended on mono-cropping systems and contract farming, relying heavily on commercial fertilizers and hybrid seeds. While some farmers expressed uncertainty about whether organic farming could provide sustainable income, others revealed that they’ve quietly kept nature-based practices alive for personal consumption. These stories reveal the possibilities already beneath the surface and possibilities that just need nurturing.

This forum also led to a milestone: the signing of a tripartite MOU between GSS, MAO, and World Vision. Together, the organizations are committed to co-hosting Seed Schools 1 and 2, with the first training already scheduled for June 19–20, 2025.

As one World Vision staff member noted, “It’s so hard to find a sustainable source of organic seeds.” This is where our work at GSS and the collective power of community comes in. By expanding our networks and strengthening partnerships, we’re reaching farmers and advocates we didn’t even know needed this. The seed sovereignty movement is growing and Moises Padilla is ready to rise with it.

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.

At the Penowayan Purok Center in Don Salvador, Negros Occidental, Indigenous farmers gathered for a Community Learning Awareness on Seed Sovereignty (CLASS), a foundational activity leading up to our upcoming Seed Schools. In partnership with DSAC San Carlos, this session created space for community members to reflect on their farming journeys and explore what reclaiming seed sovereignty means for their land, culture, and future.

Many participants shared how, years ago, they were introduced to synthetic fertilizers and hybrid seeds through government programs that promised higher yields and greater income. The results were immediate, but the long-term consequences slowly revealed themselves. As one farmer recounted, the shift to commercial farming left them unable to replant saved seeds or grow crops without continued dependence on fertilizers. Government programs that pushed synthetic fertilizers and hybrid seeds once seemed like a solution, but became a cycle of reliance and loss.

And yet, despite these challenges, hope remains rooted in the soil. All participants expressed a strong desire to join Seed School 1 and 2, citing their lived experience with both traditional and commercial farming. Having once known the abundance and health of native seeds, they now see a path to return!

As one participant reflected, “Traditional farming brought joy, and food that made us feel alive. We want to go back to that.”

For Global Seed Savers, gatherings like this are a powerful reminder that the seed sovereignty movement is not about teaching communities something new, but about helping them remember. These farmers are living testimonies to both the promise of traditional practices and the consequences of industrial agriculture. Their stories speak to the urgency of our work and the strength already present in every community we serve across the Philippines.

With each seed shared, each story told, and each training held, we are helping restore not just food systems, but relationships to the land, to our culture, and to each other. 

In the heart of Sibonga, Cebu, farmers, community leaders, and advocates gathered at Our Lady of Divine Grace Social Hall for a powerful Seed Sovereignty Forum. Hosted in partnership with Our Lady of Divine Grace Parish, this gathering served as a vital space to deepen the conversation around seed sovereignty and its impact on farmers, communities, and the environment. More than just a discussion, the forum provided an opportunity to mobilize farmers interested in becoming seed savers—ensuring that the legacy of traditional and organic farming continues to thrive.

With the looming threats of commercial farming and seed dependency, the event underscored how saving and sharing seeds is an act of resilience and self-determination. Farmers in attendance expressed both concern and hope—concern for how industrial agriculture has shaped farming practices in Cebu, but also hope in the possibility of reclaiming control over their seeds and food systems. The enthusiasm from participants was clear, as many signed up to join the upcoming Seed Schools, eager to learn how to preserve, cultivate, and pass down native seed varieties for future generations.

The partnership with Cebu Caritas communities is a critical step in spreading seed sovereignty awareness across the province. Through these connections, the movement can reach even the most remote farming communities, providing them with the tools, education, and networks needed to restore biodiversity, ensure food sovereignty, and protect their agricultural heritage. This forum was a powerful affirmation that seed sovereignty is not just about farming—it’s about preserving culture, protecting the land, and ensuring a future of abundance for all.

At the heart of every thriving food system is a strong network of farmers committed to seed sovereignty. In partnership with the Tuburan Local Government Unit (LGU), Global Seed Savers recently hosted a Community Learning Awareness on Seed Sovereignty session at the Municipal Nursery in Tuburan, Cebu. Organic growers, farmers, and Sugbusog community partners came together to learn about the importance of saving and sharing locally adapted seeds. More than just a workshop, this gathering sparked deep conversations about how seed saving ensures food sovereignty, strengthens resilience, and reduces dependence on costly commercial seeds.

One of the most powerful takeaways from the session was the realization that shared passion creates natural connections. Farmers from the FCCT cooperative saw firsthand the urgent need for accessible, organic seeds in their communities. Recognizing the role of seed saving in sustainability, they committed to inviting their members to future Seed Schools and Seed Sovereignty Forums (SSF/CLASS). This spirit of collaboration highlights the strength of community-led solutions—when farmers support one another, they build networks that sustain not just crops, but entire communities.

As we look ahead to Seed School 1 and 2, this session laid the foundation for inclusive, farmer-driven planning. With local farmers at the center of these efforts, we continue to nurture a movement where knowledge is shared, traditions are honored, and communities take control of their food systems. Thank you to all who joined and to our dedicated partners for making this gathering a space of learning, connection, and belonging!

At St. Francis of Assisi Learning Farm and Food Sanctuary in Koronadal City, farmers, advocates, and community members gathered for Seed School 2, a powerful continuation of our journey toward seed sovereignty. In partnership with SAC Marbel, this training deepened participants’ knowledge of Global Seed Savers’ seed-saving standards, ensuring that traditional and organic farming practices remain at the heart of our food systems. The session also served as a stepping stone, identifying qualified participants for Seed School 3 and finalizing the recipient list for seed library boxes—an essential resource for keeping native seeds in circulation.

A striking moment came when a participant, who had been leasing his land to commercial seed industries, expressed his guilt after attending the session. Initially, he joined just to observe, but the discussions around food rediscovery and organic seed saving were a turning point for him. As he reflected on Fr. Jerome’s food rediscovery program and GSSP’s advocacy, he saw how everything starts with a seed—and how reclaiming traditional seed-saving practices is key to building a truly healthy and sovereign food system. His story is a testament to the power of education and community-driven movements in shifting mindsets and reclaiming food autonomy.

This gathering also shed light on the widespread shift toward commercial farming in Mindanao, even among the B’laan tribe, whose traditional farming knowledge has been overshadowed by the promise of higher yields from hybrid seeds. Yet, as many farmers are beginning to realize, the pursuit of “instant” profits has come at a cost—damaging Indigenous food systems, depleting biodiversity, and eroding community ties. Seed School 2 was a reminder that our work is more urgent than ever. By equipping farmers with the skills and knowledge to protect their seeds, land, and traditions, we are planting the seeds of resilience, sustainability, and food sovereignty for generations to come.