ESSA Uncategorized

Emerging the Collective Intelligence during the Organic 4.0 National Conference.

Participants gather in separate groups to answer one question as a collective.

One significant difference of the Organic 4.0 Conference from other conferences is the structure of the program. Here the participants are encouraged to participate in the discussions and share their knowledge and experiences from the ground. During the 3rd day of the conference, a few of the participants felt like there was something that needed to be address as a whole. Three participants converged to develop a question address to the collective so that even though they were grouped separately the question will hold them together as a whole. It is also important to note that this part of the program emerge organically  which the organizers allowed. In a sense it became a dialogue with the system which the organizers felt will meet the emerging needs of the collective versus the outlined program.

Here, it is especially important that participants are focus within the discussion as this allows for the collective intelligence to emerge. So a sense of the sacred and respect when an individual shares is required from the rest of the group. The diversity of the participants from different sectors of stakeholders also played an important role as this gives a diverse perspective to a complex problem and contributes to the creation of a more complete picture. This then allows the collective intelligence to birth creative solutions that incorporates the different perspectives and ideas to address complex problems like the poverty-complex and in this case, the climate emergency and the future of organic agriculture.

Karla Delgado of Kai Farms, Teresa Ruelas of Cafe-i (Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative and Dindin Daliva of CBE(Center for Bayanihan Economics) facilitate the emerging question for the rest of the participants.
Participants answered the question “If you only have 5 years to live, what in you needs to die in order that a new world can be born through you?”.

ESSA Uncategorized

Organic Food for Conferences is POSSIBLE!

Organic food served during the Organic 4.0 National Conference.

Serving organic food for such a big number of participants during the Organic 4.0 National Conference is definitely challenging. From sourcing out, preparation and coordination with the hotel and kitchen staff are but a few of the many challenges in ensuring that we stand by our advocacy and principles of serving safe and organic food. Luckily, the Iloilo Grand Hotel management was open enough to adapt something completely different from what they are used to.

Of course, it was not perfect and there were plenty of moments where expectations where not met. The important thing is that people were open to learn, to re-adjust and to discover new possibilities. In the end, when the community demands safe and healthy food, the business sector will have to adapt. This is but a small glimpse of the power of intentions and sincerity. New cultures will emerge. Organic food will be the new norm.

Binakol soup served without chicken meat.
Participants coming back for more plant based meals.

ESSA Uncategorized

Organic 4.0 Bayanihan!

We’ve recently concluded the Organic 4.0 National Conference last Friday Feb. 14, 2020 at Iloilo Grand Hotel and we especially would like to thank our volunteers for the five day event. It wouldn’t have been as successful as it was if it weren’t for your patience, selflessness and hard work in ensuring that everything goes well throughout the conference. A new future for the country and the world is only possible when people come together for the common good and genuine sincerity. Please accept our sincerest apologies if we were not able to say our thanks during the closing activities due to the full packed schedule. Again, thank you and we hope to work with you in the future!

The ESSA council, staff and volunteers gather together in a circle for a prayer during the first day of the event.

ESSA Uncategorized

From Farm-Sci NASSA to ESSA

As the initiative evolved into a more complex system the organization realized that the partnerships required to answer the call of advancing organic agriculture in the country and the world is not merely a partnership between scientist and farmers but a partnership between all the stakeholders involved in the food ecosystem.

The organization realized that the name Farm-Sci NASSA does not capture the organization’s mission and vision. That’s why a few months ago, despite multiple challenges and apprehensions that we’ve established partnerships using Farm-Sci NASSA as a name and the implications of a change in name, we’ve decided to take a risk because now the name “Ecosystem of Stakeholders for Sustainable Agriculture” captures what the organization wants to realize as an offering for the country and the world in attaining a sustainable future. Ecosystem of Stakeholders for Sustainable Agriculture captures the systemic change and the bayanihan values that will birth a new form of food ecosystem.

ESSA is SEC registered organization with the company registration no. CN201974031. The website domain farmscinassa.wordpress.blog has finally been updated essa.net.ph.

ESSA Uncategorized

DILG Endorses the Organic 4.0 National Conference.

This is to inform all City and Municipal Mayors that we have received endorsement from DILG for your attendance. The conference will be blessed by your presence as we come together as multi-stakeholders for the advancement of sustainable agriculture. In light of this event, ASEC. Roosque Calacat and Senator Kiko Pangilinan will be joining us at the said conference.

The Organic 4.0 National Conference will be held on Feb. 11-15, 2020 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel. For more information you can contact us through our email address essustainableagriculture@protonmail.com and you may register online via this link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8S-hATjiqmQ_BlLP5WdJtSUzFCVWJVaUlQRjrS4qvPoElKA/viewform