The 189 participants of the SM Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Urban Farmers’ Training Program from Makati and San Juan City recently celebrated their Harvest Festival and Graduation. The two events mark the end of their 12 weeks of training in urban and containerized gardening.

The Harvest Festival for Makati City was held on November 23 at the site of their garden in Santo Niño Chapel, Barangay Southside. Meanwhile, the graduation ceremony for the Makati participants was held the following day, November 24 in SM Megamall. Team Okra were awarded as the Best Farm for Makati City. Ms. Charito Hernandez and Ms. Maricris Tanglao were also awarded as the Best Farmer and the Best Team Leader, respectively.

The participants from San Juan then celebrated their harvest festival the following week at

their garden located near the Pinaglabanan Shrine at Barangay Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City. The graduation ceremony was held on November 29, 2017 at SM Sta. Mesa. The award for Best Farm was awarded to Team Okra with Ms. Delia Serrano and Ms. Geraldine Mendoza being awarded the prizes for Best Farmer and Best Team Leader.

The SM Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Urban Farmers’ Training Program aims to teach urban dwellers backyard and containerized gardening techniques for food security and to supplement their livelihood. The program is conducted by the SM Foundation in partnership with the Sustainable Livelihood Program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Department of Agriculture, MacPlas Academy and the City governments of Makati and San Juan. ###