Start date
September 17, 2025

End date
February 18, 2026

Duration
22 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Activity/project background

The province of Kalinga, located in the Cordillera region of the Philippines, is home to a rich agricultural heritage, with farming practices that are deeply connected to the region's culture and natural resources. However, like many rural areas, Kalinga faces challenges in adapting to modern agricultural practices while preserving its ecological balance and traditional methods.

Kalinga State University (KSU) plays a pivotal role in advancing research and education on agriculture and sustainable development. The university’s commitment to local agricultural practices is evident through its initiatives, such as the Heritage Center, the Coffee Center, and research on heirloom rice and corn varieties. These programs focus on preserving the region’s unique agricultural heritage while promoting food security and sustainable practices. However, there is a growing need for a consolidated, accessible resource manual that offers practical guidance on sustainable farming practices that can be integrated with local traditions and modern innovations. KSU views the development of a comprehensive sustainable agriculture manual as essential for this purpose.

The Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) is requested to support KSU in the development of sustainable agriculture manual. The manual will serve as an invaluable tool for farmers, agricultural students, and community stakeholders by providing step-by-step instructions and best practices for sustainable farming techniques. The manual will cover areas such as soil conservation, organic farming, crop diversification, water management, and integrated pest management, tailored to the specific environmental conditions and agricultural needs of Kalinga. Furthermore, it will emphasize the importance of preserving native species, such as heirloom rice, while encouraging the adoption of new technologies to increase productivity without compromising environmental integrity.

By creating this manual, KSU aims to empower local farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary for sustainable agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to the region’s food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. This initiative aligns with KSU's broader mission to promote sustainable development and improve the well-being of the people of Kalinga through education, research, and community service.

The organization has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:

• Co-review information and available documentation on the province’s previous and current sustainable farming practices
• Co-design the outline for the manual, ensuring that it addresses local agricultural needs and sustainability principles
• Co-author sections of the manual based on the outline, providing clear, actionable guidance on sustainable practices for local farmers
• Review and revise the manual based on KSU stakeholder’s feedback
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 6 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Philippines time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, MS Teams, Facebook Messenger, Gmail and Canva for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

• To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
• To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  
  

Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.

Essential Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or a related field

Experience:

• 2 years of work in the areas focusing on farming systems, indigenous crops, soil conservation, organic farming, water management strategies
• 2 years of work in agricultural program planning and implementation
  
  

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually