Nestled in the heart of Zone 7, San Blas, Villasis, Pangasinan, Jardin de FVS and Planting Service stands as a thriving testament to the power of education, innovation, and community engagement in agriculture. Managed by Mr. Vladimir Mohammad Meriales under The Feliz Academy Inc.’s Federico Villarin Santiago Center for Research and Sustainable Agriculture (FVSCRSA), this humble yet dynamic initiative has grown into a recognized model of agricultural excellence.
From Humble Beginnings to Certified Learning Site
Long before it became known as Jardin de FVS, the site was already making strides in agricultural education. The Feliz Academy Inc.’s FVSCRSA was initially certified by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as a Learning Site for Agriculture I (LSA I). As the site expanded its programs, facilities, and community impact, a renewed vision emerged. One that called for a name that would better reflect its growing mission and identity.
With this transformation, the institution rebranded the site as “Jardin de FVS and Planting Service”, a name that captured both its vibrant character and its commitment to cultivating growth, knowledge, and sustainability. This renaming marked a pivotal moment in its journey toward higher recognition and greater service to the community.
On February 7, 2025, Jardin de FVS reached a significant milestone when it was officially certified by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as a Learning Site for Agriculture II (LSA II). Despite occupying only 2,699 square meters, the site has evolved into a vibrant hub of agricultural learning, offering hands-on experiences to students and local farmers.
The site offers an immersive training experiences supported by modern facilities, including laboratories, classrooms, training halls, lodging accommodations, and variety of garden such as square foot, plot-type, container, and vertical gardening. It also provides hands-on training programs in catfish growing, organic fertilizer production (with a focus on vermiculture and carbonized rice hull), and free-range chicken production. The farm also emphasized the use of plants like banana and madre de agua to develop sustainable, innovative farming methods. In a remarkable integration of technology and nature, the Center has also developed an aquaponics system (a closed-loop ecosystem that combines fish farming and hydroponics) demonstrating its strong commitment to forward-thinking, sustainable agriculture.
Inspiring the Youth Toward Agricultural Leadership
Under the management of FAI’s FVSCRSA, Jardin de FVS is committed to cultivating a deep-seated passion for agricultural sciences among the youth. It envisions a future where young leaders are equipped not only with scientific and technological knowledge, but also with the moral compass needed to champion resilient food systems and self-sustaining communities.
Expanding Horizons and Empowering Communities
As part of its ongoing expansion, Jardin de FVS extended its reach to Casa Amarillo in Rosales, Pangasinan. A satellite site where learners and visitors can immerse themselves in rows of fruit-bearing trees and flourishing vegetable gardens. This extension blends nature and education, further supporting the academy’s mission of spreading knowledge beyond classroom walls.
Staying true to its advocacy of community involvement, the management of FAI’s FVSCRSA regularly conducts workshops, seminars, and hands-on training for local farmers, creating a ripple effect of knowledge-sharing and empowerment across the region.
Cultivating a Legacy of Hope and Sustainability
In 2024, Jardin de FVS garnered widespread recognition by winning the Regional Search for the Best Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden under Category A: Microgardens, becoming a national contender in the competition organized by ATI. This achievement highlights how vision, dedication, and innovation can thrive regardless of space limitations.
Today, Jardin de FVS under the Feliz Academy Inc. FVSCRSA, continues to inspire the youth, uplift communities, and cultivate a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future for Philippine agriculture. From its modest beginnings to its growing regional and national influence, Jardin de FVS is more than a garden; it stands as a symbol of what is possible when passion and resilience meet purpose and transformation.
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