Jessa Samonte graduated Agrostudies in 2014, and has since started a successful business producing oyster mushrooms in the Philippines named Agro mushroom enterprise. The business is expanding and Jessa is interested in conducting trainings and opening branches in other municipalities.

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Jessa and her partners, some of which are also Agrostudies graduates, credit the program with providing them with professional knowledge, interpersonal and management skills, as well as self-empowerment.

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“Agrostudies has a lot of effects in my life, I learned a lot in Agrostudies”

Of course, Jessa’s familiarity with modern methods, tools, and technology is an advantage. 

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“I learned modern technology which I'm using now in my career path”

When the project started, and the partners began with a small house for mushroom production. Using modern technology and sustainable practices, they hope to use their business for local development.

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“Our goal is to help small farmers and especially youth in our community, to teach them how agricultural waste can become a source of food and money”

Of the nine members of the enterprise, 5 are graduates from the program all of whom “learned how to deal with other people” and have proven themselves successful as a team.

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Jessa also adds that some of the growth has been personal: “I've become a better me. Thanks to Agrostudies”