3 FARM TOURS AT THE ORGANIC CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
A Few years back, Negros Occidental has embraced the organic farming system which gave her the organic title capital of the Philippines. As early as 1980’s efforts pursuing organic farming has already been existing in the province, specifically in Kabankala City, where a Columban Father, Fr. Brian Gore, supports of organic agriculture, the vermin-culture. From then on various Alternative Farming technologies were introduced thru the efforts of the NGO’s, GO’s, Private Organizations and the Provincial Government.
Today, countless activities and the campaign has been made to strengthen organic farming in the province making it indeed, still the Organic Capital of the Philippines.
With this effort more and more groups from all over the country would visit Negros to visit and even learn organic Farming from the Organic Gurus of Negros Occidental.
Here are the Three Most Popular Farm Tours in Negros Occidental:
May’s Garden and Restaurant
May’s Organic Garden and Resturant, Bacolod City
Established in 2010 when the owners Ramon and May Uy started to work on their farm in Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City to promote organic agriculture.
Sitting on a 6.2-hectare property along the highway, 8 kilometers south of Bacolod City proper May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant is one of the best showcases for organic farming in Negros Occidental.
The place offers lessons to farmers on how to produce organic crops, medicinal plants, and how to raise naturally grown farm animals such as odorless hogs. It has a restaurant offering organic food, accommodations, garden cabanas, facilities for meetings, weddings, and other occasions.
May’s Garden and Restaurant
How to Get There
May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant is 8 kilometers south of Bacolod’s city center; by Public Utility, take a jeepney at either the city plaza, Central Market or SM going to Sum-ag or Punta Taytay; one may step off directly in front of May’s Garden as it is right along the highway on the right shoulder.
May’s Garden and Restaurant
Contact Details:
Sitio Aning, Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City 6100
Tel. Nos.: +63(0)34 431 3800, (+63) 925 707 4102
Email: maysorganicgarden@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maysorganicgarden
Peñalosa Farm
Peñalosa Farm, Victorias City
At the Penalosa Farm, you will meet a well-known agripreneur Ramon Dayrit Peñalosa, Jr. who practiced integrated natural farming business in Victorias City, Manapla, Sagay City and Don Salvador Benedicto, all in the province of Negros Occidental.
One of the highlights when visiting his demo farm in Victorias City is the Probiotics-based swine production making his piggery odorless. Pork, as well as chicken meat and eggs, and certified organic vegetables, herbs, fruits and other crops, supply Monchito’s Meat Shoppe and Green Grocer at SM Supermarket in Bacolod City.
The Penalosa Farms are efficiently managed, integrated into the natural farming system, the farm operates under the strict supervision of the owner himself. Mr. Penalosa believes that by practicing zero waste, intercropping, vermicomposting and probiotics-based swine technology, many things may be achieved. The Penalosa Demo Farm in Victorias City has rooms dedicated to farmers who would want to learn organic farming.
Peñalosa Farm
How to Get There
By public utility vehicle, take a jeepney (Bata-Libertad, Mandalagan-Libertad) to the North Terminal then take a Ceres Liner bus to Victorias.
Peñalosa Farm
Contact Details:
Bangga Daan, Victorias City, Negros Occidental
Tel. Nos: +63 (0)34 399 2847, 399 2706, +6392 586 4500
Website: http://www.penalosafarms.com/
Photo from Rapha Valley Site
Rapha Valley, Salvador Benedicto
A trip to Rapha Valley includes typically organic plants & garden orientation, wholesome food talk and tasting with no less than its owners, medical doctor-turned-organic chef health guru, Dr. Albert Jo and wife Marilou a Pharmacy Degree holder.
Rapha Valley lies 1,200 feet above sea level and spreads over 23.6 hectares. Uniquely a full nature, adventure, and wellness vacation destination. The cold weather of Salvador Benedicto is ideal for planting fruits and vegetable with healing elements. The place offers rooms for an overnight stay.
Photo from Rapha Valley Site
How to Get There
By Bus: take Ceres Liner bound for San Carlos City. But it would be best to visit the place with a private vehicle.
Photo from Rapha Valley site
Contact Details:
Km. 48 Barangay Kumaliskis, Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
Tel. Nos.: +63 (0)34 473 0816, +63 929 800 8338, +63 921 613 7928, +63 917 829 2023
Website: http://raphavalley.com/, https://www.facebook.com/raphavalley
The direction to get to that place is indeed helpful especially for those who wish to obtain those organic foods that we should be eating because we know it’s more healthier than what mostly foods that contains so many preservatives.
yes, we are what we eat 🙂
These farms are so nice. They look so peaceful, I definitely wouldn’t mind dining here.
These would be nice farms to visit. I love that the food is organically grown. This is also the first time I have learned that there are odorless hogs.
Yes, I was even amazed when I saw it 🙂
Thanks for the local tour, I enjoyed it. Wish to visit those places one day.
Thanx Cherry 🙂
Visiting the farms would surely be refreshing. It gives you a fresher air and a good view.
Love to know these organic farms in Negros. Hoping that this kind of farming will saturate Negros island.
You can never go wrong with those freshly harvested veggies… unlike what we have today in the market…I hope other towns and cities here in our country will also promote this healthy organic farming system too
I have not yet visited an organic farm before and have never been inside an organic restaurant. I hope a lot of other provinces will follow Negros Occidental’s example to promote healthy eating for all Filipinos.
You should, very informative and fun 🙂
Now ko lang nalaman na Negros Occ. is the Organic cpital ng Pinas. Visiting farms is something that I haven’t done yet. Nice experience siguro for me.
hi guys we are from australia and my hubby and his friend are really interested to do this tours. how much is the cost involve in this 3 farm tours? how about accommodation overnight in each farm? your assistance is highly appreciated. thank you.
Yes, these places have accommodations for their guests.
Nice to visit. I love to see all pictures . first time I have learned that there are odorless hogs.
Thanks for such nice post
This is a great post!! These farms seem like a great place to visit! Thank you for sharing!!
Nowadays we are fed up for the uses of fertilizer( chemical) which is harmful to our health. Natural or compost(not chemical) are often used. So we are felt in various diseases. There is no substitute for organic or natural food. We should always take organic food. I think your sharing help that.