GENERAL RULES IN NOMINATION
1. Submission of nomination form is open to everyone. Any person or organization may nominate in one or more category.
2. Nomination should be made on the prescribed TOFARM nomination form, duly signed by nominator and nominee, written in English, Filipino or mix of both.
3. The nominee, upon signing the nomination form, attest to the truthfulness and accuracy of all information submitted therein; agrees and authorizes the TOFARM search and award committee to verify the information and publish the documentations submitted; indicative also of the nominee’s willingness to attend the awarding ceremony (Birth Certificate or similar proof of nationality will no longer be required).
4. The TOFARM search and award committee shall be the exclusive authority over the search and award of “The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines” and reserves the right to resolve any issues arising from the undertaking, including the rejection of specific nomination.
5. A screening process of each nomination will be conducted. Those nomination complying to the requirements will be endorsed to the Panel of Judges, those found insufficient will be returned for compliance.
6. It is imperative that the nominee discloses relevant material facts and information whether favorable and/or unfavorable to give an objective and complete perspective of their character and integrity as part of the evaluation.
ELIGIBILITY OF NOMINEE
Individual Category
1. Filipino citizen in good standing (without criminal records or conviction in any court of justice of the Philippines) whose work in agriculture is presently within the Philippines.
2. The nominee and his/her work has been confirmed existing by a representative of a Local Partner Organization, and the “nomination form” signed by its President. Note: Local Partner Organization may seek assistance from the LGU Agriculturist during the “validation” period.
3. A work of an individual or nomination of a work of an individual shall be submitted only once. The same work cannot be submitted for more than one category. If a work is made by more than one individual, only one person can be nominated in behalf of the other, else, the nomination is submitted to the “group” category.
4. Work that has been conferred by TOFARM shall not be eligible for the current year nomination, however, any person may be nominated again, in a new or different work of life (meaning different category).
5. In the category of “Outstanding Young Farmer,” the nominee must be in the age of 18-40 years old during the period of January 1 to December 31 of the awarding year.
Group Category
1. Group(s) of individual Filipino citizens whose work in agriculture is presently within the Philippines.
2. The group nominee and their work has been confirmed existing by a representative of a Local Partner Organization, and the “nomination form” signed by its President.
Note: Local Partner Organization may seek assistance from the LGU Agriculturist during the “validation” period.
3. Work of a group shall be submitted only once. No member shall submit the same work more than once under different category.
4. Group work that has been conferred by TOFARM shall not be eligible for the current year nomination, however, any group may be nominated again, in a new or different work or undertaking (meaning different category).
EASY STEPS IN NOMINATION
Step 1: Download nomination form and manual at the website URL address: www.tofarm.org.
Step 2: Complete the information required in the nomination form.
Step 3: Seek assistance of your local partner organization, or your local agriculture officer, or your local DepEd Teachers, or your local religious leaders for endorsing (as nominator) the entry.
Step 4: Complete the scrapbook album or documentation of entry following the “submission requirement” and the “guide to preparing the documentation.”
Step 5: Seal in properly marked envelope and send to TOFARM Secretariat Office. For online submissions, go to www.tofarm.org to access the online nomination software.
ELIGIBILITY OF NOMINEE
1. Nomination form with 5x7 inch latest colored photo of Nominee, along with original compilation of write-up, photos and other supporting documents or evidence required in favor of nominee.
2. Submit a five (5) minute video of the subject farm or work place such as in the fisheries or livestock. Include also in the video some clips of the nominee in action, the house and family members, surrounding neighbor or community. Video camera or phone camera are acceptable.
3. Documentation or narration of nominee’s qualification should follow prescribed order or outline of presentation as enumerated in each criteria. The following are additional guide.
a. Show reference table of content;
b. Each page should be numbered, and annexes are properly referenced;
c. Arrange the compilation having first the nomination form, followed by eligibility requirement,
then the Executive Summary (not more than 2 pages), and last the qualification or documentation of nominee in each criteria;
d. Total documentation MUST NOT EXCEED 30 PAGES, letter sized (8.5”x11”) white paper;
e. Compile all documents together and orderly in a form of an album;
f. The compiled documentation or scrapbook album must be scanned following the order of arrangement, page by page including the pictures, as is where is. Save file in PDF, submit soft copy (in CD) with hard copy. The soft copy will be uploaded in the website for the “People’s Choice Category.” Please see criteria details for more information;
g. Nominee must retain duplicate copy of all submission.
4. The Nomination Form must be duly notarized. Nominee is required to sign each page of the documentation album.
5. Documentation scrapbook album must be submitted in one (1) single sealed envelope. Only the officer authorized by the Panel of Judges can open the document for screening purpose. The envelope shall be marked as follows;
Category: xx
Name of Nominee: xx
Address: xx
Contact Number: xx.
6. Nomination forms and other materials are available at the TOFARM Office, Local Partner Organizations, and thru download at the www.tofarm.org.
7. TOFARM will be accepting nomination/entries starting June 1 and ends September 30 at 11:00 PM; unless stated otherwise through official notice (via online posts and circulars);
8. Nominations may be submitted online. A template is provided for users to facilitate submissions following the required format. The requirements are:
a. 5’ x 7’ latest color photo along with the other pictures and document. Store file separately and label accordingly;
b. Sign-up and register your email address, profile and password. Remember to keep the username and password for use as access to the online nomination page;
c. The Online Nomination facility will be open until September 30, 11:00 PM. User may upload, change or edit its nomination anytime and date before the said date of closure.