Growing Sideways

Been quiet as I felt having reached a plateau in terms of sharing our experiences and knowledge for pasturing chickens.

Growing sideways..yes it may mean waistlines hahahhha.  But also, while we were focusing growing taller, we forgot that as you trim the sides, it gets bushy and lush too. Next thing we knew, the sideway growth can't be stopped and widened our vision.

We have shared all we know and went through over the years. Started in pastured chickens in 2000 and since 2010 it looked like we are being brought to another phase...not just chickens but organic agriculture in general.  That has been taking a lot of time and energy...and I tell you, enjoying the shift of work.

In the past months, we have also started contributing to magazines.  It makes our advocacy of marketing organic agriculture easier as we have the opportunity of visibility.

Love this blog, blogging and the people I've met who had been following us over the years.  Not saying goodbye ...just moving on to another blog that will give me more flexibility on topics..meaning I can write about anything organic :)  The new blog had been created, nothing there yet as I wanted to close this before moving.  Can't have two masters at the same time :)

Please feel free to read over the archives here.  The data, information hasn't changed.  Pasturing chicken is older than all of us and has remained to be the same.  IF there will be major changes that I feel you have to know, it will be posted here :)

Email me anyting...info@solraya.com.  Our monthly seminars will cease and we will now incorporate that with the scheduled seminars for SOAP.

Thank you so much for the company...but I will also invite you to keep me company in the new page up very soon!  As Pamela Henares' daughter said.."Birds of the same feeder...palakpalak togider" :) ...so am sure you will still want to join us in anything organic.

I love chickens....even in my choice of foldaway sacs!  Still want to follow us????? PLEASE JOIN US on our FB's group page: Spread Organic Agriculture in the Philippines, https://www.facebook.com/groups/spreadorganicagriculture/

Casual

Today was the opening of AANI Harvest Festival. Very casual day for us as we knew friends will be there and the event was our homebase group :)

L-R: Pol Rubia, Gerry Manaoag, Pio Rodriguez, Zac Sarian, Doc Rey and Rene Almeda

There were new products and exciting exhibitors so I had fun meeting some people. Different vibes. You know it when its not about agendas :) I hope this new generation is in time to really make changes.

We also looked forward to the seeing again the new Department of Agriculture's Secretary Procy Alcala. This will be our first time to see him after he was named for DA.

We all had good laughs as he saw familiar faces and knew that the "hellos" had no strings attached :) See how honest laughters are!

Department of Agriculture Secretary Procy Alcala

Time For Getting On The Ground

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Cong. Procy Alcala will be the new Secretary of Department of Agriculture.

Early this morning, Tere texts that she and Dante are on the way to Manila to do initial support work for Secretary Alcala. Rare time that we can all get together, she calls to ask if time permits, will Zac Sarian and I have time for coffee after work?

The strong rain late afternoon didn't deter us from meeting up. Over dimsum and pots of tea, we shared laughter and just assuring ourselves who the real people are.

Its been sometime now since we all met. As usual, started with Zac and my itchy soles....wanting to get out of Metro and visit farms. For Doc Rey and I it is learning. For Zac, more often than not, in search for stories to tell. We went to Quezon and met the Earthkeepers (search tags Earthkeepers). In one trip to Davao, Tere led us to meet Dante and Tibaw...she said "they are True Blue Farmers".

Rest is history and it started a real respect of one another....not just because of the experience in natural farming...but more of natural people.

I didn't want to miss this...over long conversation, taking photos. I was able to capture the core group of Secretary Alcala.

Dante and Tere were the major movers and researchers for the Likasaka book on natural farming.

They credit the push and spreading of their work, to a lot of support from Zac Sarian of Bulletin.

I am thankful for the opportunity of being with them on a relaxing note. We were not work, we were their break from it all...it was for us all to get grounded. Tomorrow, it is time to get the feet on the ground to do the work.

Marigolds

Do you see these plants a lot in organic or natural farming plots?

They are called Marigolds, used for pest control and management.

Take time to research and understand how Marigolds can help you. Learn how it works best given your areas, farm plants and situations.

Platinum Visit

During the 3rd Pinoy Organic Festival, what caught me to Russelle Buenviaje's booth was her sign of "Sweet Tuba". I love this drink and bought all that was left in her cooler, after I tasted the 1st bottle I got. A lot of veggie sellers that day, and she stood out because of her Tuba.

You really need to have something to catch attention and stand out tall :) It was during the chatting that I learned Platinum Island Farm is one of the few OCCP certified farms. It was about those days that Zac Sarian and I were talking about taking a trip somewhere to relax and work at the same time. Obviously, those are almost always farm visits, and we do nationwide ahahhaha, travelling as it was also part of our resting. So I asked Russelle if we may visit her? It was set for the 18th of June.

As you turn the bend to get to their gate, you have to cross a river. It was such a lovely sight. I just watched last week "Prince of Persia" and I got the feeling of a draw bridge being lowered so we can enter.

We were treated first to pitchers of Sweet Tuba and Mushroom Burgers. Except the bread, everything came from the farm. The burger was very good! It had that Italian-Indian taste in the blend of herbs and seasonings. What looked like Thousand Island Dressing was actually Squash Sauce with mayonnaise (that was store bought too).
The vegetables came from the more than 3500sqm greenhouse.

We were so full that the chitchat and interview by Zac Sarian took place in the cool terrace. By the time they were done and ready to go around the farm it was too hot for me to walk and go around. Russelle took the car to tour us around the vermi, green houses, coconut trees.

We got back to a ready lunch prepared by sister Niel. Except for the grilled meat, everything was produced in the farm.

Russelle is a very charming farmer. No frills, no airs, no unsolicited answers nor information to prop her farm.

Why was it named Platinum Island Farm? It is better than Gold and it is bounded by a river.

On the way out, I saw this and remembered to take home my Sweet Tuba.

The 3rd Pinoy Organic Festival

The venue and set up for this show was simple and basic. Tents, ordinary tables, under the trees, in the parking lot. No frills, no extravagance...by default it went with what basic and organic really meant. The attendees were mostly farmers, which is the point of this event. It was a good convergence for farmers like us.

Senator Miguel Zubiri was there. He is the principal author of the Philippine Organic Agriculture Law. At the end, it will really be the organic and natural farming practitioners, herbal advocates and the consumers who will be guided by moral ethics and common sense. Oh well, that is my opinion.

Doc Rey conducted a seminar on the last day. Very well attended and the interest was held.

I went around Sunday morning and found a sweet tuba seller! My favorite drink ever! Asked her to reserve the last bottles for me and asked her if we can go visit her farm. She is one of the few OCCP Certified Organic farms. Timing, because she also wanted to carry Sunshine Chicken in her store to go with her veggies. That should be another post, after we visit the farm.

I asked Mr. Sarian, editor for Agriculture of Manila Bulletin if he wanted to join the trip. That is how agri friends spend time together....farm visits :) We get to enjoy good company and the best fresh produce.

It is those farm tours that allow us to know, where to get what. We really see how the farms are operated and how the produce are grown. Oh no, we are not a certifying body nor an organic organization. We are just enjoying time together with friends.

Mr. Zac Sarian during opening day.

My Dampa

Who hasn't been to Dampa? The strips of wetmarket, where you point to what you want and it is cooked for you.

Better for me...it is pointed while still in the plant, picked off fresh, and steamed for a few minutes. Even our drinking water! It is taken from the well and boiled. By the time we are done with breakfast, we are able to drink warm water to wash it down.

We went home to Isabela, amidst reports of calamity area because of the drought. True it is soooo hot here. But, because of natural farming and open housing and free ranging chickens...we are OK!

More so that we encourage everyone to grow your own food. You can do it in containers in your backyard, frontyard, rooftops or hang containers in walls. That way, whatever flood, power outages or whatever comes our way...you may atl east feed yourselves.

Go back to basics :)

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.

Natural Gifts

I am no gift giver during events. Treats I give go when least expected, but surely those will be items I will want to keep or use for myself.

Christmas is no hurried time for me because the traffic and shopping frenzy doesn't engulf me :) This week is different! Nope, didn't catch the traffic stress.

From a riceland that didn't use chemicals nor pesticides, just organic fertilizers, there was a good harvest. That was sometime ago. There will be new sprouts and fruits from that field. See how some people go through harvested fields? Its like picking up the leftover.

What we got are not leftovers from the previous harvest. These are the ones that grew after! This crop didn't even get any fertilizing. Just the rain, the sun and fresh air. From there we got about three (3) sacks. One for my sister, one for my mother's bestfriend and one for me. The thought of giving came because I had a good product to give. It just dawned on me later that it was timely for Christmas.

For neighbors, think I will give fresh eggs from our grass fed Sunshines. Now. Why now and not on Christmas? So they have time to use it for their special flans.

What else? Fruits from our farm, we really give that to Manila friends....on regular days, when no ribbons go around beating red lights.

Play

It is when you are not doing anything, that you end up doing more :)

By 4:30am I was listening to Sa Kabukiran over DZMM 630khz, because a grower in Benguet, Jonathan was being interviewed. Read about a similar post the other day.

While driving, peeped on while Doc Rey was reading Bulletin and chanced upon our "ready to range" grower in Sinait, Ilocos Sur. My Tita Pilar's photo also got there because of her urban Lanzones tree. Immediately texted them about their nice smiles :)

By 6am we were off to AANI FTI to deliver chicks and man the booth. Breakfast was kambing cooked several ways and fresh Avocado shake. Before taking those calories, I had a stroll and got myself some cotton shirts that will be crumply packed in suitcases.

9am went to Antipolo so deliver some chicks and used the opportunity to visit AANI Urban Farm in Antipolo. For you in the area, this farm is perfect to visit and purchase your salad greens....really organic as it can get.

12noon saw us having Shabu Shabu at Bonifacio High Street with one of the boys. It was just a short walk from the parking lot to the resto but the heat was intense and penetrating. The son wanted to get some stuff from Nike.....I thought it was spelt as Yike! After sometime there, I was glad to leave the park....as it gets hotter inside Yike.

After getting some stickers from our car dealer, now in my table doing invoices for tomorrow's deliveries. Hectic Sunday tomorrow as KSA's Agrikapihan, Anniversary of KSA, and our monthly seminar. Used opportunity today to blog and breathe....

Organic Farming

When Zac Sarian said that our driver in Gen San is a windmill designer, I knew it will be an interesting farm visit and said "GO". I love windmills...the ones that you see in fairy tale books...it gives me the dreamy feeling like seeing lighthouses.



Ok...all they said was windmill. When we got to Capt Bong Reamon's and Gay's farm, I was like "HUH" when I saw this cell site tower that turns with the wind. Oh no...uhoh...it was the award winning windmill!

But the design is very good! It doesn't take a gale to turn it. See how there are two separate windmills? One may be for water, the other for electricity. Capt Reamon says you can have several floors....a windmill condo.

We go through the healthy looking veggie plots. You will want turn vegetarian when you see how they take care of your salad greens.

Our tour is backwards...next was showing us how the farm was being fertilized. You tend to listen and appreciate the HOW, after seeing the WHAT. He must be an educator of short attention people!

We went around the vermiculture plots. Capt Bong showed us how gigantic his African Night Crawlers were. He gives back to them the microorganisms they produce. He sprays the vermi plots with the vermi tea. We were all surprised at how healthy his worms were...like baby snakes :)

We were all awed at how his fruit bearing trees were productive. His vines had the largest leaves we had seen and trees were fruiting off season. No chemicals here...just his vermi tea.

After all that walk, we sat by in his kubo to have the sweetest and freshest aromatic coconuts. We have had three (3) nuts each. Nut, nut nut.....then off we went to Ryan's Lechonan. The resto is owned by Capt Bong's sister. We had home cooked Gen San style.

Capt Bong is a commercial pilot, but says that he wants to go fulltime farmer soon and immensely enjoys his R&D (research and development) inventions.

How did he get into vermi? He called Zac Sarian one day before to ask where he can get vermi to feed the Eels he plans to farm. Zac talked him into rethinking. It will take a lot of time and effort before you can gain from the Eel....but look into vermiculture.

The Reamons now talk, dream and think worms! Read more...

HERBaboy

We had been looking for a good supplier of naturally grown pigs. Almost gave up on it as it was hard to get one that jived with our drivers' schedules, supply was inconsistent, or maybe they just didn't want to deal with me :)

Enter the Davao trip. Proper timing and delays work for the best. We had no intention to market Andry and Jojie's pigs in Manila as it will be costly, time consuming plus a lot of effort on our part.

But...
1) seeing the contented pigs in the farm
2) observing how the feeds were made
3) drinking the fermented juice the pigs are having
4) smelling, seeing and almost tasting the feeds before being fed to the pigs
5) meeting Andry and Jojie, seeing that they practice what they preach
6) eating great sinugba

I knew I wanted to eat and consume this for ourselves and what comes next...we sell it at Organika. That is our focus anyway, to sell only what we ourselves use and consume.

What should be a most fitting brand? HERBaboy....why do you think we decided to call it such?

AANI + Sunshine = MATH

The organic production of vegetables, fruits and herbs from the AANI Urban Farm in Antipolo, will be sharing our booth at Market at the Hills every Saturday and Sunday.

This will be a welcome move as it is very hard to refer to organic shops when you do not really know the source. We are always being asked for organic produce...now we are together in one stop.

We hope you find that our equation works :)

Organic Farming Plus

What: Free Seminar on Organic Farming and Raising of Free Range Sunshine Chicken
When: January 6, 2008 8:30am, Sunday
Where: AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center
Quezon Memorial Circle, East Ave Gate

Brought to you in coordination with Agri Aqua Network Inc, Daily Dose Farm and this site :)