Environment sustainability and ways to save Mother Earth have been among the messages imparted by the new breed of tillers.

Near the serene and tranquil Lola Sayong Eco Surf Camp in Gubat, Sorsogon lies a quaint farm run by young farmers with a vision of protecting the environment and who pursued their dream by forming the Gubat Young Farmers Association (GYFA).

Guests learned about their beginnings and were given the chance to tour the little farm that was built through passion and the determination to do something good in the world.

The president of GYFA, Rommel Escabedo, along with co-officers Marvin Felices and Melvin Enrera, related the story of their effort to innovate through environmentally-responsible farming.

Escabedo shared the struggles of the group and how it conquered these. Environment sustainability and ways to save Mother Earth have been among the messages imparted by the new breed of tillers.

During their collegiate days under the Agriculture program at Bicol University, Escabedo and some of his classmates pioneered an organization that they have nurtured up to this day and which became the foundation of GYFA.

To make ends meet and to allow them to pursue their advocacy for green farming, the students decided to join Sen. Cynthia Villar’s Sipag for Outstanding Youth for Poverty Risk Reduction Challenge that resulted to their being chosen as among the awardees.

The prize from the competition was used to jump-start their dream which still had to hurdle a few bumps after it was inaugurated.

“Before, we were looking for a piece of land because we didn’t have our own. Fortunately, one of our clients knew someone who has land where we started our project,” he indicated.

Currently, the group has 20 members who are mostly the officers of the academic organization and some community residents near their farm. At the farm, different kinds of crops like coconut, pili, kamoteng kahoy, eggplant, chili, passion fruit, peanut, banana and sweet potato were raised.

Later on, Escabedo said a piggery would be included.

GYFA officers: Marvin Felices, treasurer; Melvin Enrera, vice president; and Ronnel Escabedo, president.

The small farm, located in Barangay Ariman just a few meters away from Lola Sayong, had stricly adhered to organic and natural farming.

Lola Sayong, the major client of the group thus far, has itself been a proponent of an ecologically-friendly lifestyle.

Rommel shared how they produced organic products during their college days. “When we were still at BU, we produced organic fertilizer, concoctions, native pig and poultry which we raised at school. Our resources were limited so we had to make do and maximize what we have,” he said.

Part of their advocacy, when it comes to organic farming, was to inform other farmers on the danger of using synthetic fertilizers. Organic farming also created a positive impact on the environment.

GYFA also plans to become providers of farm produce to different restaurants. Currently, the group has a tie-up with Lola Sayong.

The farmers were generous enough to share for members of the media to partake fresh katmon, passion fruit, buko and even pili. They also made a snack food out of sweet potatoes.

The young Gubatnon farmers offer examples on how there is no age restriction when it comes to pursuing a passion especially when it benefits the community.