In pursuit of experiential and community-based learning, fourth-year students of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Crop Science from Sorsogon State University – Castilla Campus conducted a Community Needs Assessment and Formulation of a Comprehensive and Sustainable Rural Development Project in Barangay Salvacion, Castilla, Sorsogon, on October 24–26, 2025.
The initiative, carried out as part of the students’ Sustainable Rural Development course, aimed to immerse learners in real-world community engagement and participatory development practices. Through the hands-on application of classroom theories, the 17 participating students gained valuable insights into assessing community needs, identifying livelihood challenges, and formulating development strategies that promote sustainability and resilience.
Guided by their instructor and extensionist, Mr. Al M. Alcantara, the students conducted various data-gathering activities such as surveys, house visits, site inspections, and focused group discussions (FGDs) with members of the Soft Broom Makers Association and other barangay residents from different puroks. They also engaged in three study areas, namely: (1) Nature-Based Social Enterprise Area, (2) Cultural Management Practices of Tiger Grass, and (3) Cultural Heritage of the Walis Tambo Weaving Industry.
Through this experiential learning initiative, SorSU–Castilla Campus reaffirms its commitment to cultivating competent, socially responsible, and community-centered agricultural professionals. The integration of practical fieldwork into the academic curriculum not only enhances students’ learning experiences but also advances the university’s mission of promoting sustainable and inclusive rural development.
