Intro to Permaculture

 

Spread Organic Agriculture in the Philippines (SOAP) and Cabiokid are pleased to invite you to a two-day “Introduction to Permaculture Course” which will be held on October 29-30 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Department of Agriculture Agribusiness Center at Elliptical Road, Diliman Quezon City. The lecturer for the course would be Bert Peeters.

Permaculture will provide you ideas and knowledge on designing your own landscape (farm) through some relevant technologies. It will offer design concepts applicable for areas in your surroundings to make it more sustainable, profitable, yet stable and habitable.

The two-day course will provide basic information that will include the following:

              

DAY ONE

-          Idea on what is permaculture

-          Permaculture ethics and principles

-          Pattern language

-          Permaculture introduction

-          Design Exercise

DAY TWO

-          Interaction in the natural world

-          Specific interactions, maximize energies

-          Design exercise with discussions

Cabiokid has been developing the principles of permaculture in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija in its 5.5hectare property.  It has transformed the area into a sustainable property using permaculture as the guiding framework.From a mono-cropping and chemical farming area, the Cabiokid area now produce organic rice with many other crops. All sorts of vegetables are now growing in abundance in the farm while birds are common residents and reptiles and mammals can easily be seen in the surrounding areas.

 

PHP2000 includes certificate, materials and lunch/snacks.  Please register and prepay on or before October 21.  Send payment to Solraya Enterprises, BPI, C/A 3535-8057-24.  After payment, please email spreadorganicagriculture@yahoo.com for payment details and name of participant.  Registration after October 21 will be charged at PHP2500.

Email spreadorganicagriculture@yahoo.com or call (0917) 847-2639 for questions.  Thank you.
 

AANI, May 30 - Updated

WHAT: Raising Sunshine Chicken from Day1 to Harvest
WHERE: AANI Quezon Memorial Circle,
enter thru gate across PHILCOA
WHEN: May 30, 4pm
WHO: Doc Rey
FEE: Am not sure if free or they are charging for maintenance,
please contact AANI at (02) 497-2755

Links To One

Discussing the past week as a whole, then daily activities, led us to talk about certain clients and activities in particular.

We did yesterday a one on one seminar for a farm. The several visits there have been helpful in explaining things, as you use actual scenarios as examples for the DOs and DON'Ts. The seminar is patterned to fit the needs, plus showing the general picture. Even if they opt not to follow conventional poultry management, the caretakers will understand why some natural farming methods are applied and what works. IF there is a problem, their knowledge of conventional will help adjust the natural farming methods utilized.

Not just the poultry crew was asked to sit in. Even the construction guy was called to listen. As I walked around, you know that certain things apply depending on your line of work. The poultry guys were taking notes on space requirements, feedings etc. The construction guy had sketches and computations on the building samples and their own designs to amend. He also had notes on wind direction etc :) There was one more man who didn't take notes nor ask questions, but he was equally attentive. Maybe he was the one that mixes the feeds and drink concoctions, much like the marinade man in kitchens.

What was amusing was there was a crew who prepared lunch. After the buffet table was set, they also sat down to listen to Doc Rey. They were on the "common mistakes" portion. Doc Rey loves this part as he says it is easier to remember the DON'Ts and the sins hahahhaha. Going back to my cute food preparer......as Doc Rey showed pictures to quiz them, the first to answer was this food prep man who just took his seat.

If he wasn't around during the seminar, why was he able to reply? I will credit it to the fact that he is part of the day to day activities of the farm and sees the chickens a lot. PLUS, common sense and high IQ :)

My point here is simple but often forgotten in success stories. Teamplay is very important. One person can't do all. We have to find that team....wherein the members all love what they are doing and their personalities work together. Key factor is that they are team players.

Many times when a group is sent to us, I am able to observe certain characteristics and you know right away who passes the ball well.

Abrakadabra

Opportunities pop out and it is there for the take....or for it to slip by. Of course for the take!

Our calendars are always full, but when you spot an opportunity, you adjust and make way. It is like Spring cleaning...make way for new things.

Much like last Friday's impromptu radio interview...we got a request to do a seminar in a Northern Luzon province. When we said "YES", the next was, "can you also do for other provinces in Region 1?"....Sure :) After we hang up, I had to get my calendar to adjust schedules.

The schedules fell on a week where we were supposed to be on R&R with some agri friends. How to now? Abrakadabra!!!! Turn the Region 1 trip into a vacation :) Reats and Reminars ahahahah.

I will post schedules once I know details and IF we can invite you to join for free :)

Learn AANI In Antipolo

AANI Urban Farm in Antipolo will host a seminar on Raising Sunshine Chicken.

WHAT: Raising Sunshine Chicken , from day1 to harvest
WHEN: Feb 13, 2010, Saturday, 2-5pm
WHERE: AANI Urban Farm
WHO: Doc Rey
FEE: PHP500

Please contact AANI for reservations, at (02) 497-2755 or text us at (0917) 847-2639.

Nice place for you to go visit as it is a working urban farm. Pesticide and chemical free, you get the freshest and sweetest vegetables and fruits from farm to your table.

AANI Urban Farm is located very near the Masinag Market at the junction of Sumulong Hway and Marcos Hway. From Marikina, you turn right to Sumulong from Marcos Hway. You will see a Shell station on your left and the subdivision across that is where you enter. I think the subdivision is named Kingsville.

Grin When Green

Today must be the day that answers my question about doing green architecture.

I grew up with moss covered fences, lagoons, well landscaped gardens, a lot full of orchids, dayonets, backyards that had been transformed into a huge green house...all these when green houses were not yet heard of...in the 60s :)

Making a move this quarter, had me I had me toying about green architecture. Actually what I have in mind is the homey, Hansel and Gretel type...the one that evokes walk through the forest type. I was asking my archi friend Gigi to help...but both of us got busy with Citem's FAME. I hope and pray she reads this to get her dreaming with me asap.

My searches led me to sites that were like Flash Gordon types...sci-fiction looks...not me. More like I didn't know the proper search words.

This morning, we get to join the garden show of the Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines. My attention was choosing the booth location and marketing Sunshine.

In the afternoon we did our monthly seminar. It is rare that I get to chitchat with the attendees after the seminar. Today was different! I can't pinpoint why, but I stayed behind in Organika while the orders were being processed. That gave me opportunity to do some chitchat which started with politics. My worst topic!!!! Am so apolitical :)

At a snap...it drifted into plants and in a second, this man was describing how he did his wall and chicken coop...with plants! WAIT...all of a sudden I knew what he was talking about.

We could have gone on...but no one was left and he had to travel back to Bulacan.

Thank you for leading me to search through vertical gardens, green roofs etc.

I now look forward to that garden show.,...Why? look at this!

See how the goats live on the roofs? My chickens will love this...surely!

The look I want now will be mine, and not to recreate what Mommy had made me live through as a child. Not that I didn't want it..,.its just that I want to inject my own now.

Your Time Is Important

And energies too :)

We had been getting texts and email if the seminars for September and again this October, will be pushing through.

Just for the record, so far, since we started our 4th Sunday seminars, we NEVER canceled. We went on. On bad weather days, I remember having one or two arrive. We go on at 2pm as much as we can, sharply at 2pm :) For prepaid bookings, surely, it will be honored on next month's seminar...there was a valid reason for not showing up.

We value your time and energy. In the same manner, if you scheduled us to do a seminar in your area....PLEASE PLEASE also start on agreed time. I can go on vacation everyday and spend time at the salon half of my days, but when we have an agreed work to do...let's respect each others' time and efforts.

Oh hahahahahahah...I just recalled a seminar scheduled in Citem's FAME for one of the Health and Wellness topics. It was scheduled for 12noon. As I was going out for lunch at 1pm, I bump into the supposed speaker at 12nn! Meaning super late by 1hour! I'm sure he was expecting a roomful waiting??? Even though how interested your crowd is....I think respect is on order for all :)

Another question we get monthly is...."is the seminar on XXXX?" or "is the XXX the 4th Sunday?" Well, please use your calendars. It doesn't require an Einstein to determine the 4th Sunday :) Again, I am happy to reply to texts and emails, but I will gladly respond to legitimate inquiries.

Take time to read...so we both get to have a more meaningful exchange when we email or talk.

See you on the 4th Sunday.

Perks

What do I look forward to when I do Citem shows?

1) Productive contacts. Less talking here, but a lot of work later. Other shows are non stop talking and detailing, but you end up not really moving forward in terms of marketing.

2) Great shopping. Eewwwww, I had to go back to my seat and surf to stop myself! But I have to go back for at least ONE of Dita Sandico-Ong's Banana Wraps...even just ONE! I normally get what I want in "all colors please". A lot of interesting products. This is FAME, so it was all industries. I am enamored since October 15 by a Cebuano painter, Jun Impas, whose works I have just seen. I have been tempted to get his brook scene....but I have priorities at the moment of my moving business locations...so I have convinced myself to first see my landscaping and interiors before I get new furniture stuff.

So I went back to my booth and took...

3) Time to surf....because you are not constantly on your toes talking. I was instantly gifted (for tempering my buying spree)....see what I saw! Doc Rey will be gratified for his hard work and patience to learn his Power Point. Doc Rey's seminar from an attendee's point of view.

I'm glad I was led to Danny's blog. He writes well and entertains me. I remember the waterful day of September 26. He texted me that day1, typhoon came and rats or was it cats played with some of his chicks.

Moving Few Steps

We are making a major move of all our operations, centralizing it in the Araneta Center. Offices, dressed Sunshines' meat shop, Organika, pick up of our dayold chicks... we will incorporate with other farm suppliers.

Excited to do this as we will be in the middle of everything and everywhere. Logistics and accessibility to clients who drive or commute. Landscaping is planned. Green architecture is being employed!

We've had the Fairview address from the start and we will not let go of the landmark. Manpower shortage is forcing us to close down the store facing Quirino Highway...BUT, we are moving the inquiries and pick up at Organika, our meat shop facing Regalado Ave (fronting the Regalado gate of SM Fairview). People are used to this place for the dressed Sunshines and this is where we hold our monthly seminars on Raising Sunshine Chicken. Actually it is far more comfortable for the clients making inquiries. It is airconditioned and has parking.

For prosperity, we will not let go of this address :)

There are talks with new lessees for the property. We took the clue and opportunity to make the move to a centralized location. It will all be for the better!

Making the mini few steps move, before we make the major one.

Natural & Conventional

Opposite poles attract. Everything has pros and cons. No one thing is solely right nor wrong. Everything has its benefits. Total different ideas and practices may meet.....Those are some things we learned over time....experience dictates so.

Andry and Doc Rey are BOTH...take note, BOTH Pisces Horses. Both born in March and in 1954. The worst combination for my Leo Rat! Jojie and I are so different from Andry and Doc Rey, but then again, the four (4) of us are all so different from one another.

But, experience led us to the wisdom that the differences should help one another and everything is doable as long as the doer accepts it....so let's give everyone the choice to select what they want to do...for it to be doable and sustainable.

Remember when we all first met. Both men had their eyes closed. Maybe it was Jojie and my chit chatting that made them realize that they had to listen as they had no choice being thrown in that company.

They both realized that natural farming has to know, listen to conventional practices. Same with Doc Rey, he just had to see reasons and outcome to accept the natural farming way. Even if you don't practice...JUST LISTEN and be open. Later, you will find you way into it also, w/o realizing it. Because eventually you will see the logics and the whys.

That is what happened. Natural farming and conventional practices may and SHOULD be merged. There will be practices in poultry management or in all aspects, that we can't throw away.

Classic examples are the followers of natural farming. They attend Andry's seminar. When they go into Sunshines, there may be problems encountered. Brooding most especially..then hygience when they don't follow the spraying of the IMOs properly :)

Most who attended both Andry's and Doc Rey's seminars separately do better...because they are able to merge and select.

Lately and when possible...Andry and Doc Rey are present in one another's seminars. Even when silent, they both know that they can both count on one another. When technical questions arise..the ones that you don't just read on...Doc Rey can show the light. When the natural feeds are asked...oh...Andry has the floor, dancing around.

Bottom line is...for natural farming enthusiasts...you can't throw away conventional and scientific ways. We need both and all. Knowledge about both will give you a larger picture to play color or edit :)

Feels Like Forever

I am transferring files from a computer who's monitor decided to do stripes on my eyes. Ironically, the Vista on this new computer is driving me nuts as it won't read my other softwares. Deliberating on going back to XP...OR... buying a new Quickbooks 2007 or higher version. Good I typed that, as the cash register said, cheaper to revert back to XP.

Sorting through pictures...this was the only seminar pic I took from ever since. I will say the only one, maybe the very first seminars drove me nuts as lack of experince dictates that moles become mountians. Later seminars find me busy and so picture taking had been forgotten.


We have since moved to a better and colder seminar room....Organika...the meatshop. On a seminar Sunday, chairs are placed there and tables rearranged to accomodate the participants.

Doc Rey was just telling me the other day that his 1st seminar should have a commemorative photo. Sad to say, none from me. I remember a particiant take our pictures for prosperity.

As I am uploading the photo now and a history on seminars....I get a call from a participant last Sunday, a party of three (3). They didn't get their free chicks and was wondering if it got forfeited. Nope....it is presumed that the participants are not prepared and/or will want to make changes to their brooder....so they have thirty (30) days to claim from time of seminar.

Last Sunday's seminar was bad....the aircon won't work. Been fixed the next day, freon leak. So this participant was commending Doc Rey's seminar as people didn't leave even with the intense heat. Yes, everyone stayed till the end :)

Oh, that should have been an example of the need for fresh air in brooding. Am sure everyone thought about that...but mentioning it might make the heat unbearable!

We had been doing seminars for for about two (2) yrs now. Seems like been doing it forever as it is a snap now setting up one. But then, it is always exciting and enjoyable. You meet a lot of people...never will two (2) seminars be exactly the same.

In the new area we are thinking of moving to....I think I want the seminar area open and airy...or at least have an option to be able to move out to the garden. I learned my lesson from the broken aircon.

Davao, Gen San UPDATED July 1

Seminar: Raising Sunshine Chicken from day1 to harvest.

DAVAO

Seminar July 11, Saturday, 2pm
Microtel Inn, Damosa Gateway Complex, Lanang, Davao City
Fee: PHP300, includes snacks
Speaker: Rey Itchon, DVM

GEN SAN

Seminar July 13, Monday, 2pm
East Asia Royale
Fee: PHP300, includes snacks
Speaker: Rey Itchon, DVM

Text (0917) 847-2639 to reserve slots, you may just pay at the door.

2nd Organic Pinoy Festival

May 29,30,31 sees the 2nd Organic Pinoy Festival.

Venue will be at the AANI FTI Weekend Market grounds.

Although Sunshine has a permanent booth there, we will still set up and be part of the occassion.

As usual, we will encourage our growers to be part and market their products there.

FREE SEMINAR on Raising Sunshine Chicken at 1pm Sunday, May 31.

Iloilo/Roxas/Bacolod/Dumaguete

We got requests to do go back to that part of Visayas again soon to do seminars again.

Will keep this blog posted for the JULY schedule.

Booking airlines and hotels....to jive with our schedules.

We May Do A Seminar There

Do you want a seminar in your area?

Maybe you can coordinate a group or your LGU to contact us to do one, there.

If you don't have access to a group or LGU, let us know, so we may schedule one in your location, depending on requests we receive.

Bacolod/Iloilo Loop UPDATES

We are just finalizing schedules. Updated April23, 2:51pm.

Working on May 04 for Iloilo, a 2-5pm schedule. Getting a Cafe venue, 15mins away from the city, as FREE venue. That way we are able to offer a FREE SEMINAR, as long as you order snacks and drinks. Very fair!

May 05, Bacolod. 2-5pm, Villamonte Barangay Hall. That is along Ylac St, Brg Villamonte. They say tricycle drivers would be able to take you there if you have to commute. This is in the City proper, and about 15-20mins from the ferry area. Complements of the Barangay...we are able to give this FREE SEMINAR in Bacolod. Just do good to another person :)


If you are interested, you may contact (0917) 847-2639. There will be a PHP300 fee for the seminar, depending if we get a host venue or not.

We will be doing farm visits. This will be an exciting trip as Mr. Zac Sarian will be in our company.

If you miss the seminars but wish to speak with us, call me on the CP.

See you :)

Unpredicatability

That best describes our schedules :) Not that I'm complaining.

Yesterday, we were supposed to have driven back to Isabela for a quick trip before we fly to Davao. Holidays gave us the alibi to just work in our computers inroom and was too lazy to pack and go. Also, staff will be on break too so many things to check before they leave.

What wakes us up this morning? A request for a seminar tomorrow morning. Several out of town deliveries ordered today! We also have to make some deliveries as there is only one driver left in Manila. Well, Tuesday is not a regular delivery day for us, so we are not manned for this. But, we are very flexible and always ready .... used to the unexpected, expecting already the unpredicatable and making do with situations :)

A Mandaluyong delivery crops up....hmmmmm I remember wanting to try 1521 Restaurant...hope to experience their cooking.

Impromtu Seminar, April 8

Due to demand we are scheduling one tomorrow.

WHAT: Raising Sunshine Chicken
WHERE: ORGANIKA; Regalado cor Quirino Hway (across Regalado gate of SM Fairview)
WHEN: Wednesdy, 9am, April 8
WHO: Doc Rey
FEE: PHP350

You may register at the door. See you :)

Seminars In Key Cities

Now that we are pacing with our schedules and workloads better. Jobs have been delegated and may be supervised through online data transfers and cameras...

We will be scheduling seminars nationwide, starting with the key cities. Minimal fee will have to be charged to cover venues. Don't worry, it will be very fair, granting that we did the travelling for you.

If your company, LGUs, organization, groups etc are interested to set up a livelihood seminar on raising Sunshine Chicken, please feel free to contact us.

Please check schedules we will be posting here.

Maraming salamat :)