Grounding Islamic teachings is not limited to ritual worship on the prayer mat; it also extends to caring for the preservation of nature and the welfare of others. This spirit shines through in the Downstreaming of Eco-Theology Research: Utilization of Local Herbs for Family Health and Resilience program, a concrete initiative that is turning residents' home yards into sources of blessing and economic independence.

The program began with initial observations by Dr. Kulsum Nur Hayati, a Field Supervisor (DPL) for UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's Community Service Program (KKN), in Sampang Village. She found that the potential of Family Medicinal Plants (TOGA) had already been developed fairly extensively by local residents on their own initiative. This potential is more than just yard greenery; it is a promising economic asset. Indeed, several residents had creatively produced and sold processed herbal products (empon-empon) harvested from their own yards.

Recognizing this insight and its considerable potential, the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta dispatched a group of Community Service Program (KKN) students from Batch 120 to the area for its first year, with the primary focus of building community awareness. Drawing on the value of eco-theology, that caring for the earth is part of the mandate of faith, the students' presence successfully sparked the community's enthusiasm. The result was remarkable: two hamlets agreed to establish a joint TOGA Garden, with management entrusted entirely to the Women Farmers Group (KWT).

Sustainability is the guiding principle of this service-based research program. In line with the spirit of “Utilizing Knowledge and Service Innovation for Sustainable Development,” the program does not end when the Community Service Program (KKN) period concludes. The hope is that the enthusiasm cultivated within the community will continue to be nurtured, while the Family Medicinal Plants (TOGA) garden continues to grow as both an educational space and a source of economic and health empowerment for the community.

To ensure this sustainability, the TOGA garden will receive regular mentoring and monitoring from Field Supervisor Dr. Kulsum Nur Hayati. This mentoring is supported by a multiyear KKN scheme developed by LPPM UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Through this scheme, KKN groups in subsequent periods will be placed in the same location to continue, develop, and strengthen the programs that have already been initiated.

With this approach, the community service program does not end as a merely ceremonial or temporary activity. Instead, each program designed on the basis of field observations and synergy with the village government is directed toward becoming a sustainable empowerment process, so that its benefits continue to be felt by the community long after the students complete their period of service.

“This means that in the years ahead, the focus will not only be on keeping the TOGA garden green and well-maintained, but will also transform toward a more progressive downstream research agenda. Local herbal products processed by the KWT are projected to be elevated into independent Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM), complete with guidance on modern marketing strategies,” said Dr. Kulsum.

This gradual approach shows how the concept of eco-theology, when put into real practice, can trigger a positive domino effect, starting from herbal seeds planted in a yard, growing into an effort to safeguard family health, and ultimately culminating in the sustainable strengthening of the community's economy. The program, supported by the Head of the Gunung Kidul Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, was warmly welcomed by residents of Kayen and Karangasem Hamlets in Sampang Village, where UIN Sunan Kalijaga's KKN program was carried out.

This initiative is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through improved access to medicinal plants, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through strengthening community resilience based on local resources, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through greening residential environments, and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through the conservation of medicinal plant biodiversity.

This is the great endeavor that UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta continues to build through integrated and sustainable community service, an effort to transform knowledge into sustainable solutions. From yards planted with TOGA grows ecological awareness; from collaboration is born community independence; and from every step of service is realized the campus's commitment to bringing forth knowledge that benefits people, the environment, and the future. (humassk)