“Kailangan nating ipakita sa kabataan na sila talaga ang pag-asa ng bayan,” said Ricky Valdez, the youngest graduate of the 2013 SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program in Cauayan City, Isabela.

More than a decade after completing the program, Valdez continues to contribute as a farmer-trainer for KSK Batches 382-385 in Tuguegarao City.

Born to farmer parents, Ricky grew up with an appreciation for agriculture. Even before joining the KSK program, he was active in a youth organization that promoted agriculture, food production, and healthy eating among young people.

When he joined KSK in 2013, Valdez eagerly immersed himself in the hands-on activities and lectures. Although he was the youngest in his batch, he made the most of the opportunity to learn as much as possible.

As a graduate of KSK, he said he experienced firsthand the effectiveness of the program, which not only imparts knowledge but also teaches skills and shapes attitudes.

“Isa sa mga pinaka nakatulong sa akin ay ‘yong aktwal naming ginawa ang mga lessons during the training. Iyong mga iyon rin ang nagsilbing guiding principles ko. Dahil ginagawa mo ng aktwal, wala ng rason para hindi mo ito i-apply after mo mag graduate,” he added.

Valdez considers KSK to have been the driving force behind his career in agriculture. His experience also led him to pursue a degree in agriculture and develop an integrated farm, with a mission to bring agriculture closer to communities, especially to young people.

Through his farm, he shares knowledge and skills with his community by offering seedlings and conducting basic agricultural lectures for visitors. "Itong mga ibinabahagi ko ay knowledge and skills na nakuha ko nung sumali ako ng KSK. Until now, ang mga natutunan ko, lalo na sa organic farming and high value crops, ay naibabahagi ko," he added.

Students now visit his farm to collect seedlings, later returning with photos of their sprouting plants and seeking his advice on cultivation techniques.

Continuing the cycle

In addition to opening his farm to the public, Ricky seized another opportunity to share his knowledge by becoming a KSK trainer. He recently conducted SM Foundation’s farmer training program for 100 KSK farmers in Tuguegarao City.

He noted that the program is distinguished by its collaborative approach, which brings together partner organizations — including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and TESDA. This collaboration helps ensure that the farmer-students develop sustainable livelihoods that will increase their income and improve their quality of life.

"Layunin ko po bilang isang KSK trainer… gusto ko na hindi lang maging katulad nila ako kundi higitan pa nila kung ano ‘yung naabot ko bilang isang KSK graduate. Nakikita ko na ‘yung itinuro natin sa SM Foundation ay gagamitin ng mga new graduates to increase their income, especially on farming," he aspired.

A step closer to fulfilling Ricky's hope for his students, the recent graduates in Tuguegarao City were supported by DSWD through a total seed capital of P1.5 million, with each farmers' association receiving P375,000 to jumpstart their farming businesses.

Each batch successfully formed their own farmers' association. 

The young farmer hopes that his journey — from being a KSK student to becoming a farmer and trainer — will inspire younger generations to see farming as a source of hope and a fulfilling way of life.