Promoting nature-based farming through Seed School 

In Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, communities are facing a changing reality. 

Repeated calamities are damaging crops, livelihoods, and threatening food security and environmental sustainability. As these challenges grow, local farmers are increasingly recognizing the need to build resilience and adopt sustainable solutions that can help safeguard their futures. 

Recognizing this need, World Vision, in partnership with Global Seed Savers, the Local Government of Moises Padilla, and the Central Philippine State University Moises Padilla Campus, conducted Seed School 2, a Nature Based Seed Production and Seed Library Management.  

More than a technical training, the Seed School became a journey of transformation for local farmers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become better stewards of nature. 

“Building resilience begins by empowering farmers to protect and preserve their own seed resources,” said Careen Sampil, World Vision Panay Cluster Program Manager. “Through seed stewardship and nature-based farming, communities can strengthen food security, protect the environment, and better prepare for future disasters. By investing in resilient farming today, we are helping create a safer and more hopeful future where children can thrive.” 

The training aimed to deepen farmers’ capacity to cultivate nature-based crops and practice seed saving, reducing their dependence on commercially purchased seeds.  

Participants learned how to maximize locally available resources for organic fertilization and natural pest control, promote healthier food production, generate additional income, and contribute to environmental conservation. 

But the transformation did not end with learning how to plant and save seeds. Graduates of Seed School 2 accepted a greater responsibility: to gather and preserve seeds using nature based and organic methods, participate in seed exchanges, uphold quality standards in seed production, and support fellow farmers, especially during times of calamity, by sharing seeds and helping communities recover and rebuild their food sources. 

To help them begin this important mission, the 19 graduates received seed library toolkits that will enable them to properly store and preserve seeds. Continuous mentoring and monitoring from the project team will further support them as they put their learning into practice and expand the impact within their communities. 

Among the graduates is Maria Cecilia, a farmer whose story reflects the transformative power of the Seed School initiative. Growing up in a farming family, Cecilia learned early on the importance of saving seeds and preserving agricultural traditions. After participating in both Seed School 1 and Seed School 2, this practice became even more meaningful as she gained a deeper understanding of how seed stewardship contributes to environmental protection, food security, and sustainable farming. 

Following her participation in Seed School 1 earlier this year, Cecilia began saving seeds from her harvest. What started as a simple practice soon grew into a passion. Through patience and dedication, she was able to multiply her seed stock and share seeds with fellow farmers and aspiring seed savers in her community. 

“Growing up in a farming family taught me the importance of saving seeds and preserving our agricultural heritage,” Cecilia shared. “After attending Seed School 1 and Seed School 2, this practice has become even more meaningful to me. I learned that growing food organically is not only healthier but also helps protect our environment and ensures sustainable farming for future generations.” 

Cecilia makes it a habit to save seeds from vegetables and fruits whenever possible. With the seed box and seed saving kits provided through the training, her passion for seed stewardship has grown even stronger. The tools have inspired her to collect, preserve, and organize seeds more effectively, allowing her to contribute to the preservation of local crop varieties. 

“I am excited to continue this journey and look forward to sharing and exchanging seeds with fellow practitioners,” she added. “Through seed saving and sharing, we can help preserve local varieties, strengthen food security, and support one another in promoting sustainable agriculture.” 

As climate related disasters continue to challenge communities, the Seed School 2 graduates stand as symbols of hope and resilience. Equipped with knowledge, tools, and a commitment to nature-based farming, they are helping create a future where farmers can thrive, communities are better prepared for disasters, and local seeds are preserved for generations to come. 

Through the support of World Vision and its partners, farmers in Moises Padilla are: 

• Growing more nutritious food to help nourish their children and families through seed saving.  

• Better prepared for disasters and climate challenges. 

• Protecting local seeds and crops for future generations.  

• Using farming methods that are kinder to the environment where children can grow up healthy and thrive.  

• Spending less on seeds and other farm inputs. 

• Helping one another through seed sharing and community support. 

And of course, building a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable future where children, families and communities can thrive for generations to come.