FOOD Magazine Nov 2011

November 2011

In August, I attended the "Power of Pen 3", a food writing seminar.  Had the opportunity to seat and chat with Nana Ozaeta, the editor of FOOD Magazine.  We discussed about organic farms as she learned I was writing for Agriculture Magazine. 

She said that for a long time, she was wanting for someone to write about the organic area. It was offered to someone in the past but seems she was too busy.

Nana knows my writing ability is very elementary...but as she said in her talk during POP3..."the editor is a writer's bestfriend as they make the writer always look good".

Thank you for trusting!

Am glad to be able to boost the marketing for us farmers, at the same time walking for consumer awareness :)

Go to 8th NOAC

NOAC, National Organic Agriculture Congress.  8th already.  November 8-10, Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac.  Field trip on November 11.

So Many Exciting Events

I miss blogging!  But then, I am missing on time too :) 

Deadlines meeting monthly columns.  Sure, you may say that is is just a snap to come up with a monthly column.  Yes, if you are a writer at heart.  I am just a blabber and blogger.  Blogging.. is different to writing for a magazine.  It is a welcome and enjoyable stress to be able to weave a story that will meet the magazine's persona.

Sad that I had been remiss at keeping this site up to date...since this is where it all started.

If you care to see what has been happening...while I find  several minds to keep up with all the events, please share time with is on:

1) FB, Spread Organic Agriculture in the Philippines

2) Column: Natural Farming, Agriculture Magazine of Manila Bulletin

3) Contributions, FOOD Magazine of ABS-CBN Publishing

4) Blog, http://zacsarian.blogspot.com that I manage for Mr. Zac Sarian

5) hopefully, we finalize soon...a...  will tell you about it after loose ends are tied :)

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.
 

Agriculture Magazine Office

Went to pick up some items...let me take you inside....

This is the main lobby.  On your right will be the Classifieds Ads area and your left is the Circulation Department.  See the framed photos on the wall?  Those are the covers of the current issues of the different publications under Manila Bulletin.

As we were discussing some pages to be printed...  That is Mr. Zac Sarian, the editor.  One of the staff for Agri, Mel.

The editor back on his desk.

Agriculture Magazine October 2011

 

Orders for Super Avocado had been pouring in :)

Yes, the ordinary white chicks can be pastured!

 

Housing design is important.  Give them a lot of space, air and sunshine.  The cost of the building in sustainable agriculture need not be expensive.  Imperative that they have easy access to the open range.

The chickens need shaded areas to comfort them from the heat of the sun.  Much like people..how you feel is how they experience it too :)  When we made the shift, other growers tried it too and have seen the logic to pursue it.

FAQs are tackled in our column, email us for your queries.

Doc Rey's column tackles veterinary issues.

Happy 14th Anniversary to Agriculture Magazine!  Honored to be working with you.

SOAP in Agrilink

SOAP for Spread Organic Agriculture in the Philippines will be at Agrilink!

October 6-8, World Trade Center.  We will have a table in the Department of Agriculture Pavilion.

Talks on Oct7 at 10:30am:  "Kamote as an Alternative Staple", Growing in the City by Perrine Collin.  Pamela Henares of NISARD talks of SOAP and Vermiculture.  AANI's Raymond Rubia will talk about "All About Herbs".

Come and visit us for sustainable organic agriculture practices.

SOAP

Spread Organic Agriculture in the Philippines.

Sustainable Organic Agriculture Practices.

SOAP.

September morn, the creation of  a nerve center was discussed.  Consultative group met and this issue was again identified.  Another September morn, we agreed to initiate while a formal group is being formed and may eventually take over.

September 20, 9am, we start the SOAP Desk at the Agribusiness Center, Department of Agriculture.  Elliptical Road cor Visayas Ave.

Set to be a "One Stop Info Center" for organic agriculture concerns.  We are building up our data bases for matching and for resource informations.

Streamers, logos are being designed and should be up soon.

Soon to have an egroup/forum.

Sa Agrilink we will have our launch!

S...did you notice all paragraphs started with "S"?

S, N, M, S, Y, K, N! H, H, H...only a Pinoy can read that!

Bacolod Is Green. "Green is Life". Bacolod is Life!

Been to Bacolod 2x in 15days.  1st trip was pleasure but was able to visit some farms (surely that was part of pleasure).  Had a Balikbayan friend with us, who commented that she can live there.  Bacolod was very easy, slow paced, yet lively enough and keeps you sane with feet planted on fertile ground.  2nd trip was for the consultation for NOAB's program.

1st trip, I had to go renew my drivers' permit inside a mall.  Got a treat :)  Saw this real nice raincoat.  Since then, I always prayed that it rains ahahhahaha.

Spring water to drink from Buro Buro Spring Farm.  Simultaneously thin, crunchy and chewy Piyaya by Chin Chin Uy...that is made from scratch, rolled and cooked in front of you while you wait.  Ordered a big batch.   I didn't mind the waiting.  It was when a very kind hearted waiter can't refuse a new order while I already saved all the new ones to be churned out...that made me burn ,more than the hot plate where they cook the Piyaya!  Thankful that all that happened inside the organic restaurant in the compound of the organic market.  

What cooled me down and made me wait longer?  The so refreshing fresh fruit mix!  Can you picture what I just said?  Yup...that simple....halo halo using fresh organic fruits.  NO frills there, just honest to goodness realness.  They ran out of Mango and Buko that is the add on to special, so we settled for the regular mix of Kamote, Saging, Papaya, Watermelon, Avocado am sure there were others but the freshness was the key here...more than the supposedly exotic taste.  There was actually a line for "take home".  People came with their containers to bring home.

On the 29th, there is an event at Rockwell.  Bacolod's got it all.  See you!  Can I wish that they bring the organic restaurant with them?

Retailers will be showing

Talks to be given

Practical Native Poultry Raising

Seminar on Practical Native Poultry Raising

September 24, 2011, Saturday, 8:30am

Agriculture Magazine September 2011

Yesterday at Agrikapihan, I was excited to see the September issue so I went at 8am. Guess what?  The two stalls that carried it, Teresa Orchard and AANI, had already sold the copies they brought!

Early today, I was going to check out National Bookstore. Since it is a Holiday, no traffic and my relaxed mind brought me just cruising. Next thing I knew I was in Quiapo hahahahahha....so, why not....go to the head office of Manila Bulletin to get copies.

Parking was so easy and the light rain was an easy excuse to don my raincoat:)

The children are really the ones we have to focus on educating:)

We had an easy time interviewing Dante Delima as there was a deeper story other than simply farming.  BTW, my editor says he hardly has to do anything if at all to my submissions.  Thank you.  But for this article...he added two words.  Why?  Maybe because he wanted to edit something, whatever he can.  In the opening paragraph, he added that Dante Delima and "his brother" Tibaw.  Well, they are brothers in sustainable agriculture after all :)

What was hard to do was to write it up, as a short story wasn't going to do it justice.

Dante Delima is worth meeting up in person.  You can't judge a man by his shoes.  Nor can a man's worth be seen in paper.

You have to experience being with a True Blue Farmer :)

Mr. Zac Sarian asked Doc Rey to do what his initial intention was for a column...that from a Veterinarian.  So here is his first article.

My New Favorite

Because of my involvement with natural farming, marketing and writing, I find myself always looking out for new things.  Or...good, old things that others are taking for granted.

This week was the Department of Agriculture's BAR Agritechno Forum at SM Megamall Trade Halls.

The show also gave weight on the commercial production of naturally farmed native pigs.  All of a sudden I missed our own farm, where we have pastured native pigs.  Yes pastured and just fed fruits and vegetables.

Just the way pigs were raised before

The booth of the Philippine Carabao Center drew me, because I really buy their products on the way to Isabela.  They have a new flavor for their yogurt drink...Dragon Fruit!

It was creamy, pulpy, just the right tanginess...it is my new favorite.  In color, it even standsout beside my all time loved Strawberry Yogurt :)

Dragon Fruit flavored

Natural Farming Technology, Aug 19-20, Agribusiness Center, Department of Agriculture (MAIN)

Philippines for Natural Farming, Inc  will have a two day training on Natural Farming Systems Technology at the Agribusiness Center of the Department of Agriculture (Main), the building of which is located along the Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City on August 19-20, 2011 (Friday and Saturday) from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Cost for the two day training is P2,500.00 which includes training materials and food (snacks and lunch prepared by Chef Tatung from naturally farmed produce). Training will focus on natural fertilizers and pesticides and its application to crops, plants and animals (baboy, manok, itik and kambing). For plants and crops technology, it will focus on land preparation, seed selection and treatment, proper planting and application of natural fertilizers and pesticides. It will also include preparation and use of compost and vermi.
 
For livestock and poultry: appropriate housing, nutrition, bedding for pigs and chicken, natural feeds and medication.
 
The training will be conducted by Ms. Teresa Saniano of Earthkeepers and Mr. Dante Delima, both authors of the LIKASAKA Manual.
 
For inquiries and reservations for the Aug 19-20 training, please contact Rose: 0917-244-8064 or 0908-863-1519  or Sandy 0917-847-2639 and (02) 216-7016
 
May menos/discount or libreng training pa tayo....may pa contest tayo sa PNFI e-yahoo at facebook.... abangan.....
 
Seminar fees, Membership fees and Annual dues may be
> deposited to the savings account of "Philippines for Natural
> Farming, Inc." in Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI), account no.
> 003083-7065-45. Please photocopy deposit slip, write the following
> information and send by fax to (632)929-4538 during office hours and ask
> for fax tone:
>
> Attention: Rose Lorredo – Treasurer, PNFI
>
> From:
> (Name of seminar participant or new member)
>
> Branch
> of Deposit: (Name of Branch where you made the deposit)
>
> Purpose
> of Payment: (Seminar fee and title and date of seminar, membership fee
> or annual dues)
 

Who is Dante Delima?

He is now with the Department of Agriculture, Director III, Bureau of Plant Industry and National Rice Program Coordinator.  That is his official title.

But who is Dante Delima?  What made him be what he is today?

Let's delve into him....editing now for the September issue of Agriculture Magazine.

Agribusiness Center, DA-AMAS

Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness, Marketing and Assistance Services (DA-AMAS) inaugurated their Agribusiness Center in the main DA Compound.

This building will be a venue for showcasing, year round, 7days a week, the exporters/suppliers of the Philippines. Marketing under one roof, the buyers will be able to get info on products they need.

The terrace on the 2nd floor.

The 2nd floor is envisioned to have a coffee shop and be venues for meetings.

The ground floor will be the information/reception area.  Buyers may get data here for products they need.  AMAS personnel links buyers to suppliers/farmers.

Exporters' showcase/retail area.  Visit and see what the Philippines has to offer.  You may buy on retail.  For wholesale inquiries, they will connect you to the source.

There are projects to help us farmers.  Let us also join hands on how to assist the government.  Help ourselves too :)

Pili

First, Zac Sarian sets on my plate this extra large, over riped duhat? Oversized black olive?

He said "Pili, eat it". I just know Pili brittles. How? Holding it, it was soft and squishy. You eat the pulp...hmmm...not something I will look for. It has a gas taste for me, like eating gellied kerosene. The nut is now exposed and it is roasted and cracked? Didn't ask...would rather remove the memory of the pulp on my tongue and rewind my tastebuds to my crispy pili honey brittles.

Ok, so they said pili oil commands a high price and 1hectare will be a good profit. But then, am not into wanting to go into processing. Sure you may sell the nuts to the processor, but I like to "farm to end user" work.

Walking around the stalls, I saw this lady selling Pili planting materials.  Several people bought them.  

Maybe I should have even just a couple of trees.  So I can roast some in the farm and crack them.  Maybe if we raised  and harvested it ourselves, the pride in them will spell the difference.

Variagated Guava and Mama Sita Banana

Last week our Philippines for Natural Farming, Inc group had a farm tour.

1st stop was at the Teresa Orchard of Mr. Zac Sarian. Everyone's jaw dropped when we saw this Mama Sita tree. Maurie Ocampo, who's grown and traded bananas before said he never saw this big variety before. Counting it, one heart can have around thirty (30) bunches!

When we visited AANI Urban Garden in Antipolo, we walked past through fruit trees in containers.  Notice the trees behind the Mama Sita?  They were in containers too.   Good thing about these? They are mobile and transportable, since they are planted in big plastic bins. No reason for your trees to get damaged in strong winds, as you will be able to move them to sheltered areas.

Best thing?  Great as gifts...don't you think so?  For someone who has everything...almost...it will be nice to give a Sampalok Tree with all the flowers in bloom with fruits...or look, is that a Guava?

Step closer...yes  variagated Guava!

The fruit is also striped...

Sweet!  Don't think it had a variagated taste to it.  With my eyes closed, it was simply a Guava.

You know, after I took a second bite, the striped fruit fell to the ground.  I brushed it and ate it all up.  AANI Urban Farm was into organic farming anyway hahahhaha.

Going back to the fruit trees in containers...sound business idea. Thing is you need to patience to wait for it to grow to a good market size price :)

Agriculture Magazine August 2011

I was at a food writing seminar today, Power of Pen 3, when the Manila Bulletin booth was unpacking and preparing their table. Asking what Agriculture Magazine they had, they said August. Wow...sure? YES!

Happy to write about the Glinoga Organic Farm :)

Bacolod Here We Are

We had been needing a vacation.  A long one is being planned, but our bodies and minds need one soonest.

Bacolod it is, to visit friends.

We can't be totally away from farming and the advocacy...with the coordination of Pam Henares, see you if you want to learn about pastured chickens :)

WHAT:  Raising Pastured Chickens
WHEN: August 15, 2-5pm
WHERE: NISARD Office, Provincial Capitol
WHO: Doc Rey will give the seminar

This will be free and open to all.

Naturally Farmed White Layers

After experimenting and getting good results with pasturing white broilers, Doc Rey decided to try raising the white layers in natural farming conditions.

We didn't pasture them, as they will mix with our broilers, as the ranging chickens can't be stopped from visiting neighbors in other ranging areas.

Trial of white layers, we used the HiSex brand of Console Farms. Housing was airy and gave them a lot of room and sunshine. There were fed the same way the pastured whites were. Last week, on week 19, they started making their "clacking" sound. Then, their diet was supplemented with calcium....snails and egg shells.

On week 20, the first drops...notice their size and the color?

Look how deep yellow the yolk is and how thick the egg white is :)

The cleanliness of the chicken and the eggs is not based on the color of the feathers, but it is in how it how it was raised.