Noticeable at the entrance of the farm is a sign saying "Chemical-free zone". Well OK. It went out of my mind seconds after.
As we hiked up to get to the farm, upon entering, the terrain gently sloped down to reach a few structures on both sides of the path. Searching for the owner Kuya Jotham, seeing the variety of fruit trees in rows after rows hugging that side of the hill was sort of heavenly. It was very easy to be tempted to go and harvest every fruit within reach.
But we didn't do any of that. I wished.
Fancy living here for a month?
Organic farming anyone?
Well, you need to take the course for a month...
... and learn from this man...
... in his classroom.
Unknown to us, JoelTess Farm at present is also teaching Organic Farming accredited by TESDA. This is an example of the FREE SCHOOLING of short courses being funded by the government here in the Philippines. Accomodation is provided for free so anyone who is interested can just contact their facebook page here.
Does this wall tell you that Kuya Jotham started his farm 17 years ago? Yes, his vision took that long to materialise and kudos to his determination to make it happen. I felt his struggles in having the vision with no support. For a farmer way back then, seeing him and his farm now was not just one mountain to have overcome.
I do believe that all things start in having a vision and one person can bring a CHANGE.
An eco-destination in Bayawan
For now, the students' accomodation is a bigger structure at the entrance, this to accomodate students which the maximum is about 40 I think. In the future, there are already plans to build a lot of tree houses similar to the above photo. Accordingly, for the students as well as the future tourists that would want to stay there.
Part of the vision is also to create an eco-destination in Bayawan.
In pictures:
Have some?
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Oyster mushroom picking anyone?
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According to Kuya Jotham, right now, they can only supply about 50 kg. of mushrooms for Bayawan and other orders from nearby towns, so perhaps more mushroom producers are needed for the demand.
Races at the Farm?
Now, remember my previous post about the LIGIRON RACE that was also held here at the farm? The same course will also be used for bicycle races being organised by one of Kuya Jotham's son.
The starting point.
Will it be a Ligiron or a BAMBOO bike race that you wanna join in? Also, has anyone heard of MOKUSAKU?
More of that on Part 3.
All images are mine, taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7.
On the way to an eco farm in bayawan negros oriental part 1
This post was made from https://ulogs.org