150 4-H Club officers, members join 69th Farm Youth National Convention

Mon, 12/19/2022 - 14:06

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QUEZON CITY – Sixteen regional presidents and more than 130 members of the 4-H Club in the country physically and virtually joined the 69th Farm Youth National Convention Center from December 14 to 17, 2022 at the Agricultural Training Institute’s (ATI) Rural Development and Education Center.

The event – with a theme “4-H Level Up or Leading Excellence in Agriculture through Viable Innovations, Empowering Leaders, and Unleashing 4-H Potential” – aims to inform every 4-Her on the opportunities that they can avail themselves of in the agriculture and fisheries sector amid post-pandemic recovery.

4-H National President of the Philippines Ricmel Falqueza said, “The 4-H Club serves as a premier organization under the Department of Agriculture, through the ATI, to create a network of actors for sustainable agriculture.”

ATI OIC-Director Remelyn Recoter shared that there are about 63,000 members of the 4-H Club in the country. “This convention is for you. This is in recognition of your efforts and dedication in advancing the agriculture and fisheries sector through the ardent participation of the youth,” she emphasized to them. 

Recoter also recognized the importance of the 4-H Club in responding to the aging population and other challenges in the agri-fisheries sector.

 

Winners of event contests

The event has four contests, which are the 2022 National Excellence Award (NEAA), Promotional Video-making Contest, Agri TikTok Challenge, Agri Innovation Pitching, and Agri Trivia Party Quiz.

The 2022 NEAA aims to recognize and support the excellent works and contributions of the 4-H Club and its members across the country. The finalists were judged before the event.

Under the Agri Industry and Innovation Category, the winners were Region 11 in the first place, Region 7 in second place, and Region 3 in third place.  

Under the Equality and Inclusivity Category, the winners were MIMAROPA in the first place, Region IV-A in second place, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in third place.

Under Climate Action Category, the winners were Regions 7, 6, and 11, respectively. For Physical Activity and Nutrition, Region 5 won first place, MIMAROPA in second, and Region 6 in third.

Meanwhile, MIMAROPA was hailed as the overall champion of the NEAA.

The ATI also presented the entries for the Promotional Video-making Contest, which aims to promote the activities, programs, and projects of the 4-H in the locality. The winners were Region 8 in the first place, Region 9 in second place, and Region 4-A in third place.

The newest contests were the Agri TikTok Challenge and the Agri Innovation Pitching. The former promotes the 4-H Club and agriculture and fisheries as a whole using the social media platform, while the latter is focused on identifying the game-changing solutions to combat age-long problems and issues of the club and the sector.

4-H Club Regional President of Eastern Visayas Region Alexandra Aborita shared that her group pitched an innovative product out of coconut called coco nectar, which is an organic immune booster energy drink.

The winners of the Agri TikTok Challenge were Region 5 in first place, Region 9 in second place, and Region 8 in third place. Meanwhile, Region 2 won first place in the Agri Innovation Pitching, followed by MIMAROPA and CAR.

Lastly, the event showcased an Agri Trivia Party Quiz, which was participated by online participants. The winners were awarded cash prizes.

 

Empowered youth through experts’ knowledge

Aside from the contests which showcased the skills and knowledge of the 4-Club members, the event also invited experts to share their knowledge and experiences to empower the 4-H Club members in agri-fisheries.

4-H Club Federation President and Farm Manager of Quinit Eco and Livestock Integrated Farm School for Practical Agriculture, Dr. Gerald Quinit, discussed the essentials and important points in establishing an agri-tourism farm.

Federation President of 4-H Club Northern Samar Kaiser Christoffer Del Valle shared his success on his 4-H Startup Gardening Project for the youth to

Mushroom City Company owner Edzel James Quemado, Jr. talked about social agri-entrepreneurship, as well as the story of his business, the potential of mushrooms as a superfood, and the available government interventions for young farmers.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Provincial Director of Region IV-A Engr. Zendie Monea Sollano Cabanlong shared digital opportunities of the agency for the youth.

2021 NEAA winner Lourden Oremo shared his story, especially his journey and experiences as president of the Agusipan 4-H Club to inspire young people to create an impact on their communities as well. He talked about the story of his group’s plant nursery, which provided seedlings to local farmers.

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