Search for Dormitoryo Verde: Cultivating Green Dorm Spaces

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Dormitoryo Verde: Cultivating Green Dorm Spaces

GUIDELINES FOR THE “DORMITORYO VERDE: CULTIVATING GREEN DORM SPACES”

I. RATIONALE

The month of April commemorates High-Value Crops (HVC) Week, established under the High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7900) to highlight the significance of high-value crops in food production, sustainability, and economic growth. In line with this celebration, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center VIII (ATI-RTC 8) has been steadfast in promoting urban agriculture across various educational levels, recognizing the pivotal role of the youth in shaping a sustainable agricultural future.

For 2025, ATI-RTC 8 introduces "Dormitory Verde: Cultivating Green Dorm Spaces", an innovative initiative designed to strengthen urban agriculture in school dormitories. This activity seeks to deepen the youth's appreciation for food sufficiency and sustainability through engaging, hands-on gardening experiences. It also encourages environmental stewardship and fosters a sense of community among students, aligning with broader goals of resource conservation and ecological awareness.

The Visayas State University (VSU) Dormitories, renowned for their backyard gardens under the University Interdormitory Student Body (UISB) initiative, provide a model framework for this endeavor. These gardens exemplify the integration of sustainable practices with local food security and healthy dietary habits for dormitory residents. This initiative not only supports VSU’s green university campaigns but also cultivates in students a deeper sense of responsibility, innovation, and accountability toward resource conservation.

Through Dormitory Verde, ATI-RTC 8 aims to expand these practices, encouraging dorm residents to establish and maintain productive, eco-friendly green spaces. The project aligns with the overarching vision of making agriculture accessible, practical, and impactful, while sowing seeds of environmental consciousness and innovation in the youth—our future stewards of sustainability.

II. THE SEARCH FOR DORMITORYO VERDE 2025

1. Project Description

To maintain food production in homes and schools, ATI, through its High Value Crops Development Program has been campaigning and spreading awareness of food security and production in urban and rural areas. This year, ATI-RTC 8 developed, “Dormitoryo Verde: Cultivating Green Dorm Spaces”. This serves as an initiative supporting the government’s Sustainable Development Goals for Health, Nutrition, and Food Security, promoting sustainable vegetable gardening and HVC activities in school dormitories. Nutritional balance can be achieved through a sufficient source of food supply, especially from backyard gardens, rooftop gardens, and indoor cultivation systems.

2. Objective

This activity aims to recognize the exemplary management and achievements of a dormitory based garden.

Furthermore, it aims to promote High Value Crops and Urban Agriculture to young people for food security, health, and nutrition.

3. Scope

The search is limited to five (5) dormitories within the Visayas State University (VSU) campus that have an existing garden, regardless of the size of the area.

4. Mechanics

i. Identification of Participants

ATI-RTC 8 will be posting an announcement on their Social Media Page (ATI in Eastern Visayas) about the information and mechanics of the contest. A registration link will be provided for dormitories who are interested in participating in the said contest.

The first (5) dormitories to sign up in the registration link will be announced as the official contestants of the competition.

ii. Competition Guidelines

Before the competition, each dormitory shall be provided with a start-up kit which includes the following:

Ampalaya seeds, 4 cans
Eggplant seeds, 4 packs
Tomato seeds, 4 packs
Sitao seeds, 4 packs
Okra seeds, 4 packs
Lettuce seeds, 4 packs
Squash seeds, 4 packs
Seedling trays, 6 pieces
Rake, 2 pieces
Shovel, 2 pieces
Sprinklers, 2 pieces
Complete Fertilizer (1/2kg per pack), 10 packs
Bolo, 2 pieces

These inputs will be used during the start-up phase of the competition. Contestants may choose to add more vegetables and use other inputs to their gardens if they wish.

Contestants may choose to showcase various urban agriculture technologies such as vertical gardening, container gardening, squarefoot gardening, homemade hydroponics, and the likes. Planting may also not be limited to the spaces within the garden. They may opt to place plant containers around the dorm vicinity to maximize the spaces.

iii. Duration

The maintenance, management and care for the dormitory gardens shall take place from February to April 2025 during the HVC Week and the VSU Anniversary. Winners shall be announced at the ATI-RTC 8 Booth.

iv. Selection and Evaluation Process

The gardens do not need to have harvests during the duration of the competition as some of the crops may take more than 3-months to bear fruit. However, the gardens shall be judged based on the following criteria:

Garden Design and Creativity (25 points)
Effective use of space and organization
Creativity and innovation in the garden's design
Aesthetic appeal and visual harmony

Plant Growth and Health (30 points)
Evidence of healthy and thriving plants
Consistency in plant care (e.g., proper watering, pruning, pest control)
Absence of diseases or infestations

Sustainability and Environmental Practices (20 points)
Use of organic fertilizers and eco-friendly practices
Resource conservation (e.g., efficient watering systems, recycling materials for gardening)
Efforts to minimize waste and environmental impact

Team Effort and Engagement (10 points)
Participation and collaboration among dormitory residents
Documentation of efforts (e.g., photos, journal entries, or progress reports)
Demonstration of teamwork and shared responsibilities

Innovation and Additional Features (10 points)
Unique additions such as vertical gardening, container gardening, or creative upcycling
Application of modern or unconventional gardening techniques (e.g., indoor systems, hydroponics)

To ensure fairness and uphold the quality of outputs in the contest, participants must achieve a minimum score of 85 points or higher based on the judges' evaluation to qualify for major awards.

If all participants achieve the specified score or higher, their rankings will be determined based on the total points they have obtained.

5. Monitoring

A weekly monitoring activity shall be conducted by the program management team to evaluate the progress of the gardens and ensure that contestants comply with the guidelines set by competition.

Contestants are also encouraged to share their photos on their social media pages to encourage other dormitories to continue their backyard gardens as well as to share the progress and technologies being applied in their gardens.

Participants will also be invited to join a Facebook Messenger group chat for close coordination and updating.

6. Panel of Judges and Program management Team

ATI-RTC 8 HVCD Program Point Person, Ms. Emie O. Uy and HVC Week Project Officer, Mr. Bethel John L. Sinon, shall oversee and lead the Search for Dormitoryo Verde.

The Panel of judges shall be composed of the following

Ms. Ms. Emie O. Uy Project In-Charge
Ms. Hazel Grace T. Taganas Center Director, ATI-RTC 8
Ms. Concepcion B. Miro Assistant Center Director, ATI-RTC 8
Professor, VSU-DoH
Associate Professor, VSU-DoH

8. Awards

The winners of the contest shall receive the following cash prizes:

First Place - Php 5,000.00
Second Place – Php 4,000.00
Third Place – Php 3,000.00
Consolation Prizes (2 groups) – Php 1,500.00 each

Winners shall be announced during the 2025 VSU Anniversary Week at the ATI-RTC 8 Booth. Announcement of winners shall also be posted on the ATI in Eastern Visayas Facebook page.