TACURONG CITY — With sleeves rolled up and hands in the soil, 125 young beneficiaries of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) took part in a meaningful day of learning and planting during an Urban Gardening Services activity last June 26, 2025, held at the Urban Demo Farm in Barangay San Pablo.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Local Government Unit of Tacurong and the Office for Agricultural Services, aimed to plant not only vegetables—but also knowledge, responsibility, and environmental consciousness—into the hearts and minds of the youth. Under the guidance of City Agriculturist Ivan Gerry G. Arzagon, R.Agr., MPA, and Farm Superintendent II Amie D. Tomala, R.Agr., the event was a dynamic blend of hands-on agricultural training and values formation.
For many of the students, this was their first real encounter with urban farming. Through soil media preparation, sack gardening, and hydroponic systems, they were immersed in practical techniques that can be adapted even in the smallest city spaces. They also explored the diversity of crops grown in the demo farm, while facilitators provided guidance on sustainable methods, plant care, and the broader significance of urban agriculture in today’s changing climate and food systems.
“We are not just teaching them how to grow food,” said Arzagon. “We are nurturing a generation that understands the importance of sustainability, self-reliance, and resilience—skills they can carry with them for life.”
Urban gardening has gained traction in many cities as a solution to limited space and growing concerns over food security. Tacurong’s own efforts reflect this shift, reinforcing the city’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions and engaging its youth in meaningful programs that go beyond traditional employment.
For the SPES beneficiaries, the activity was more than a summer job—it was a chance to reconnect with the land and contribute to their community’s future. “I never thought farming could be done in the city and in such small spaces,” said one participant. “Now, I’m thinking of starting my own vegetable garden at home.”
Beyond the seeds and soil, what these students cultivated was a deeper sense of civic responsibility and environmental stewardship. With every sack they filled and every seedling they planted, they helped lay the groundwork for a greener, more self-sustaining Tacurong.
As the city continues to push for inclusive and youth-driven development, programs like this show that the future of agriculture—and indeed, of the community—can flourish with the right blend of education, empowerment, and heart.