OA Fair showcases the products of the organic farms for the students and graduates of the UPOU non-formal/continuing education course on Organic AgricultureThe UP Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) organized its third Organic Agriculture Fair on 29-30 April 2016 at the UPOU Community Hub in Los Baños, Laguna. The fair was launched in December 2015 as part of the UPOU's 20th Anniversary year-long celebration.
About 11 exhibitors participated and displayed their products in the booths provided by UPOU. The exhibitors came from Kainos Farm in Calamba, Castiel Farms and Tara Farms in Bay, Laguna, the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IBP), Nu Wave Farmers, Art Farm, Makiling Hillside Delicacies, East-West Seed, Growing Greens, Raul Alcazar's Farm and The Garden Kitchen. Amongst the display are fruits and vegetables grown organically, organic fertilizers, organic farming technology, and other products relevant to organic agriculture. One exhibitor, Mr. Oliver John Gomez from Makiling Hillside Delicacies even made available an organic lechon baboy.
On the first day of the fair, a forum was also held at the same venue where Ms. Rowena Galang from MASIPAG or Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura discussed about the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), a quality assurance certification for organic products recognized by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements(IFOAM). The forum was held primarily for the students of FMDS' continuing education program on Organic Agriculture, but was also opened to all interested individuals.
UPOU students, faculty, staff and other Los Baños community members joined and visited the Fair. Since December 2015, FMDS has been organizing organic agriculture fairs to showcase the products of the organic farms for the students and graduates of the UPOU non-formal/continuing education course on Organic Agriculture. This fair is also open to other organic farmers in the community. For more details about the schedule of upcoming Organic Agri Fairs, contact Ms. Mary Grace Perez at (049) 536-6010 or email [email protected]. (Anna Cañas-Llamas)
