Grow Food, Feed Hope: Support PH Community Farms

The Community Food Farm (CFF) in Leyte continues to serve as a space where families come together to grow food, learn sustainable farming practices, and rebuild livelihoods after years of climate and economic challenges. The farm not only supplies vegetables to local households and school feeding programs—it also strengthens community ties and promotes food self-sufficiency.

This past reporting period, the farm expanded its vegetable plots, trained new community farmers, and introduced more climate-resilient crops. These efforts are helping the community move closer to its goal of ensuring that every family has access to fresh, affordable, and healthy food.

What We’ve Achieved

• Expanded the farm’s vegetable plots with eggplant, okra, and leafy greens to meet local food needs.

• Strengthened the Kababayen-an sa Uma (Women of the Farm) cooperative, now supporting women who grow and process farm produce into added-value goods.

• Conducted hands-on training on soil management, composting, and climate-smart agriculture in partnership with SEED Philippines and local agriculture officers.

• Supplied vegetables for thousands of healthy meals prepared through the Kusina ng Kalinga community kitchen for children in nearby villages.

• Organized monthly market days, giving farmers the opportunity to sell their produce and reinvest in the farm.

How Donations Were Used

The donation received through GlobalGiving was pooled with other community contributions to sustain the farm’s operations and improve productivity. Your support helped:

• Purchase seeds, farm tools, and organic fertilizers to boost yields.

• Build a small rainwater harvesting system to address irrigation challenges.

• Cover farmer training logistics and honoraria for resource persons.

• Support community volunteers and women’s livelihood activities that keep the farm running smoothly.

Every contribution—big or small—has played a vital role in making fresh, nutritious food more accessible to families and strengthening local food security in Leyte.

Challenges and How We Responded

The farm faced irregular rainfall and pest infestations during the past months, affecting some crops. The team responded by producing organic pest repellents and installing shaded nursery beds to protect seedlings. Water access also improved significantly with the new rainwater collection system, ensuring crops stayed healthy even during dry weeks.

A Story from the Farm

“Before joining the farm, I didn’t know much about growing vegetables,” shares Nena, a mother of three and member of the women’s cooperative. “Now I’m part of a group that not only feeds our families but also helps our neighbors. The farm gave me confidence—and purpose.”

Her story echoes what many families in the community feel: that by working together, they can create lasting change from the ground up.

Looking Ahead

The Community Food Farm will continue to expand its vegetable production and introduce vermicomposting to improve soil fertility. Plans are also underway to build a small learning hub for students and volunteers to experience hands-on community farming.

Thank You

We’re deeply grateful to our GlobalGiving donors for being part of this journey. Your kindness fuels our work every day—helping communities in Leyte grow not only food, but also hope, resilience, and shared responsibility for one another.

Links:

• Check out Gawad Kalinga's Facebook page to know more