The University of Baguio moves to embrace an eco-friendly future by promoting aeroponic vertical farming, pushing for more community accessibility to sustainable agriculture.
Written by Kate Jamaica Nanao (QAO Staff) and RC Mae Payumo (QAO Intern, School of Business Administration and Accountancy)
Photos courtesy of Michael Louise Mapanao (QAO Intern, School of Business Administration and Accountancy)
The University of Baguio (UB) School of Business Administration and Accountancy (SBAA) supported by the Quality Assurance Office (QAO) conducted a community outreach program in the afternoon of October 23, 2026, at the Centennial Hall. The initiative brought together a total of 63 attendees: 10 UB-adopted Barangay Pinsao Proper constituents, and 53 others composed of guests, UB students, staff, faculty members as well as student organizers.
The program featured resource speaker Mr. Russel Allen Treptor, who presented Verdant Spires, the winning proposal that paved the way for Baguio City’s first aeroponic community. During his presentation, he discussed the concept behind the initiative and its potential to promote innovative and sustainable food production through vertical farming.
Mr. Treptor shared that in aeroponic vertical farming, crops are grown in stacked towers with their roots suspended in air and nourished by a nutrient-rich mist, allowing more food to be grown in less space and with less water than conventional soil-based methods. For a highland city like Baguio, where flat, arable land is scarce and urban development continues to expand, vertical farming brings food production closer to where people live.
By enabling families to grow their own fresh produce and promoting a cycle of sustainable agriculture, the initiative contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through improved household food security and nutrition, and to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by turning limited urban spaces into green, productive areas. Because the towers grow crops in a controlled environment with reduced reliance on synthetic pesticides, they also make clean and nutritious vegetables more accessible to residents, supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Following the talk of Mr. Treptor, Ms. Leticia Almazan, President of the Pinsao Proper Women’s Organization, was invited to introduce the African night crawlers, sharing their purpose, maintenance, and proper care. Drawing from the organization’s existing experience in utilizing the worms, she provided an orientation on their management and their contribution to sustainable waste management and organic soil enrichment, both of which are key supporting aspects of sustainable agriculture.
Vermicomposting with African night crawlers transforms kitchen scraps and other biodegradable waste into vermicast, a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. This practice keeps organic waste out of disposal sites and closes the loop between consumption and production, in line with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Diverting biodegradable waste from landfills also helps reduce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Meanwhile, using vermicast in place of chemical fertilizers restores soil fertility and supports healthy soil organisms, advancing SDG 15 (Life on Land). Beyond its environmental value, vermicast and surplus produce open opportunities for small-scale livelihood, showing how women-led community groups such as the Pinsao Proper Women’s Organization can turn sustainable practices into sources of income, in support of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
The ceremony proceeded with the formal turnover of the vertical farming towers to the representatives of Barangay Pinsao Proper, marking another step in the partnership between UB and the community. Certificates of recognition were also awarded to Mr. Treptor for sharing his knowledge and insights, and to the representatives of Barangay Pinsao Proper in recognition of their participation and collaboration in the initiative. The turnover embodies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as the academe, the barangay, and a community organization came together to share resources, expertise, and responsibility for the project’s success.
The activity transitioned into an open dialogue facilitated by Mr. Franklin Jan Wayang, the Community Outreach and Extension Coordinator of SBAA. The discussion focused on the feasibility of integrating African night crawlers within the initiative and the possibility of establishing vertical farming towers within the university campus grounds. Ms. Almazan also contributed her knowledge and experience regarding the management and utilization of African night crawlers, providing university representatives with a practical perspective on their potential application.
Bringing sustainable agriculture and aeroponic vertical farming to UB
The proposal to install vertical farming towers on campus holds particular promise for UB as a learning institution. Such towers could serve as a living laboratory where students from different disciplines gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and project management, advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education) by linking classroom learning with real community needs. For SBAA students in particular, the initiative offers a practical case for examining the business models, costs, and market potential of urban agriculture.
Through the exchange of ideas, the dialogue provided an opportunity for the university’s offices and community partners to assess the practical considerations of implementing sustainable agricultural practices. It also highlighted the importance of interdepartmental coordination, institutional support, and community participation in ensuring that proposed initiatives are not only innovative but also feasible and sustainable.
The successful conduct of the outreach program underscored UB’s commitment to extending learning and service beyond the university through meaningful community partnerships. With the support of various university offices, particularly organizers from SBAA and QAO, and the active involvement of Barangay Pinsao Proper and its constituents, the initiative demonstrated how shared knowledge, collaboration, and community engagement can help cultivate sustainable solutions and create a lasting impact. As the vertical farming towers take root in Barangay Pinsao Proper, the initiative stands as a model of how universities and communities can work hand in hand toward a more food-secure, healthy, and sustainable future for Baguio City and beyond.
