Saint Louis University continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability, community engagement, and innovative learning through its ongoing Hydroponics Initiative, a program that combines service learning with hands-on agricultural technology for the betterment of local communities.
Launched as part of the university’s call-to-action advocacy aligned with the Binnadang community engagement and sustainable development goals through the collaboration of faculty and students from the Youth Council of Ecolodians (a Uni-wide organization on environmental sustainability) and Service Learning Program of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) of the University, the initiative has seen significant progress and meaningful milestones over the past few months, actively involving students, teaching, and non-teaching personnel in all phases — from planning and cultivation to social involvement and distribution.
The initiative is a collaboration between SLU, the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), and other local partners. It has made significant strides in combining education, research, and social responsibility over the past few months.
Learning from the Ground Up
On 18 January 2025, students and SLU faculty visited the hydroponics facility in Aurora Hill, Baguio City, to observe best practices and gather insights from an established community project. The visit provided valuable technical knowledge on water-based farming and deepened the students’ understanding of how sustainable agriculture can be implemented even in urban and upland environments.
Bridging Government and Community Efforts
A week later, on 25 January 2025, the university welcomed Hon. Barangay Captain Levy B. Orcales, who shared insights on hydroponics development within their respective barangay. His talk emphasized the importance of public-private-academic collaboration and encouraged youth involvement in climate-resilient food systems.
Waste Not: Integrating Sustainability
On 5 April 2025, SLU partnered with American Corner Baguio to conduct a seminar on Waste Management and Composting. This activity educated participants on how biodegradable waste can be transformed into organic compost, enriching the hydroponic system and promoting a zero-waste mindset. The training also aligned with the university’s larger sustainability goals.
Reaping What They Sow
After months of careful planning, planting, and nurturing crops, the students celebrated a major milestone on 23 May 2025 – the harvest from the hydroponics system. The produce was distributed to local beneficiaries, symbolizing the program’s twin goals of food security and social responsibility. This act of giving reaffirmed the values of compassion and service at the heart of SLU’s mission.
Service Learning in Action
Through this initiative, students not only learned the science behind hydroponics but also understood their role in addressing real-world challenges. The experience has nurtured a new generation of socially aware Louisianians who are equipped to lead in both sustainability and community service.
SLU’s Hydroponics Initiative is more than just a farming project- it is a growing movement toward responsible innovation, environmental consciousness, and active citizenship. Such advocacies are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption). (Article and Photos by SLU CEOPO)
