Global Seed Savers recently joined Lokal Lab to host a transformative Seed School 1 at Ihayas Farm, San Isidro, Surigao Del Norte. This initiative, part of our Fastenakation program, brought together 25 participants, including organic farmers and enthusiastic youth from Brgy. Burgos and Lokal Lab farming communities. Over the course of the training, participants immersed themselves in the basics of seed saving, with a focus on preserving traditional Filipino farming practices while embracing innovation.
The Seed School 1 not only equipped participants with essential seed-saving skills but also sparked a sense of community and purpose.
The group collectively decided to establish the Isla Siargao Seed Saving Community, a new network dedicated to organic farming and seed preservation on Siargao Island.
This group’s formation marks a significant step towards strengthening local food systems and promoting food sovereignty across the Philippines.
By fostering these connections, we’re ensuring that traditional agricultural knowledge is passed down and that future generations continue to benefit from a sustainable, resilient food supply.
This activity is vital to the broader seed and food sovereignty movement in the Philippines. By creating a seed sanctuary at Ihayas Farm, we can transform the space into a hub for learning and ecotourism, attracting visitors who are passionate about food security and sustainable farming. GSS and the newly formed Isla Siargao Seed Saving Community are at the forefront of this movement, working together to safeguard the seeds that are the lifeblood of our communities and the key to a self-sustaining future.
