OABloggerAko at the Master's Garden in Baguio

There's more to cold weather, pine trees, fresh strawberries, ukay-ukay in Benguet province. About thirty minutes from Baguio city, you would find the Master's Garden, a beautiful farm atop the hill where organic vegetable salad are grown and served.

The Masters Garden Organic Farm, La Trinidad Benguet

The Compost Chamber

For me, another unique experience is taking some time to explore the organic farms in La Trinidad. It's a different kind of experience compared to our regular hotel staycation, sightseeing and shopping. More than a chance to learn about organic agriculture, talking to these passionate farmers and having the opportunity to really connect and immerse yourself makes the trip more meaningful. Even if you don't have an idea about organic farming, you will enjoy a quick visit.

The Master's Garden

Mr. Pat Acosta, owner of the Master's Garden handed us a booklet about the Master's Garden. On the first page, a note says "Welcome to God's Garden". All the while I was thinking that it refers to Mr. Acosta until I realized he is actually referring to GOD. 👀

The farm holds seminars and training for those who wants to learn and start organic farming.

1. Comprehensive Farm Tour

If you're going to do only one organic farm tour, I suggest visit the Master's Garden along Lamtang-Pico Road, Barangay Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet. Although all of them gives a warm and friendly welcome the Master's Garden provides comprehensive and easy to understand information about organic farming.

The Master's Garden: Seedling in Pots Nursery

The Master's Garden started 13 years ago. It's a 3,000 sq. meter size, mini-farm with beautiful and picturesque view where the land space is fully utilized and works harmoniously with nature. The size of the farm is highly manageable that a family of four can run it easily, says Pat. They grow lettuce and all the basic ingredients in making green salad. There are herbs and ornamental plants too.

The Master's Garden also serves as an educational facility where he shares his farming experiences and teaches farmers to do organic farming.  They also accommodate school children where they learn topics on soil, decomposition, recycling, food production and the food chain.

The Vegetable Terraces

Pat Acosta has visual aids so you would understand the topic easier. You will be given a chance to visit every chamber such as the compost chamber, seed setting chamber, transplanting chamber, seed and seedling tray nursery, sales area, herb garden and vegetable terraces.

A unique way of growing plants using newspaper. 

Compost is an important factor in #organic farming. The Master's Garden is not using animal manure, instead they gather grass and wild plants for compost. I learned that I can also make my own compost for my plants at home from kitchen scraps, leaves and grass.

2. Freshly Pick #Organic Food 

The Multipurpose, Training & Social Hall

The farm has a multi-purpose hall (with rest room) where they usually served scrumptious, assorted fresh green salad, herbed juice with lemon balm and mint, tarragon tea with stevia as sweetener and tasty pasta dish - freshly pick from the farm. 

I believe we're not the only visitors who got to taste it, even the farmers and garden enthusiasts who attended their training program dine at the garden's cozy multi-purpose hall. It's a social hall, a soup and salad refreshment area, a lecture hall and a coffee shop in one!

If you want more healthy organic food, the Master's Garden sells a variety of organic vegetable, herbs and flowers at a reasonable price. I brought home some lettuce and sugar beets!

3. The Master's Garden, a picture-perfect farm and garden

The Masters Garden Organic Farm, La Trinidad Benguet Photo by LetsGoSago

As you come closer to the main entrance, you would feel like you're in paradise. A short trip provided rest, relaxation, fresh air, good food and photo souvenir with the waterfalls and the entire garden as backdrop.

4. For first timers: 

The Master's Garden has a basic, farm guide tour but the experience is amazing. The gorgeous house, the landscape are truly inspiring you would like to start your own farm.

Let's compare organic vs. chemically sprayed vegetables. The growth rate of chemically sprayed vegetables are faster compared to the organic ones who grows on a normal pace. The texture are also softer compared to organic which are tougher. That's also the reason why pests love these type of vegetable because they can easily eat and chew them. 

Have you tasted organic fruits and vegetables? They are more tastier compared to others which are usually flat or has after-taste, the chemicals. Organic vegetable has extended shelf life and because they are not exposed to any harmful chemicals they are always fresh and free from pollution. Most of all, organic vegetables are complete with vitamins A-Z utilizing all the vitamins and minerals coming from the nature and healthy soil. 

It's worth the time and effort visiting the farms in Benguet. It was a privilege to listen to the farmers' stories and adopt a lesson that you could also share to others. Taking some of your limited vacation time is worth the effort, aside from learning from the organic farmers, you would get a chance to try their fresh organic produce. I guess, the only danger is when you tried organic vegetables and fruits even organic coffee you may never want to go back to what you were eating before.

Read my previous and introductory post about #OrganicFarms in La Trinidad and Sagada, Mountain Province, click here

Sagada Organic Farm

Penalosa Organic Farm, Victoria City, Negros

Benguet: Lily of the Valley Farm

Benguet: Garden of Life Farm

Benguet: The Master's Garden

Majayjay: Costales Farm

If you're interested on organic agriculture, visit the following links Philippine E-extension Portal Agricultural Training Institute or follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/pinoyeXtension