Farm Tour: Penalosa Farm, Must-Visit in Bacolod

We discover new things, everyday! Early morning of Friday, we headed off to another organic farm in Victoria City. It took us about an hour and a half from May's Organic Farm our home in Bacolod to Penalosa Farm.

Modern Farm House of the Penalosa in Bacolod

It's not a usual vacation house. It's a farm, a training center developed to become an oasis of productivity. I hope the photos captured around the farm will inspire you to discover organic farming and farm tourism in the Philippines. Penalosa Organic Farm also promotes "Go To Farm Tourism".

I was surprised with its lovely interior and decorations. I can't believe that they were able to built more than ten (10) rooms with a prayer room inside this house. It was the combine efforts of Mr. Penalosa, his wife and designed by his son who is an Architect. It used to be a bus repair shop. When they decided to give it up, they gather materials from the shop and use them to decorate the house interior. You'll see bus' glass window, wine and soda bottles such as this one.

Owned by Mr. Ramon Penalosa, a farmer who believes that there is "no unproductive soil, only unproductive farmer". Their advocacy is to educate the people by promoting and providing natural farming systems that are environmentally friendly, zero waste and organic.

Before we start the tour, let me just share four (4) Ls I learned that made this trip truly worthwhile: Live, Learn, Love and Laugh. 

LIVE: Penalosa is a farm that raises organic chicken, duck, pig; produces organic vegetables, herbs, rice and even ornamental plants. Aside from that, the farm also produces its own organic basal and foliar fertilizers which are also for sale. This makes his farm self-sustainable, low-maintenance and profitable. 

LEARN: Mr. Penalosa presented a brief introduction about the farm, everyone participated in a fun-filled activity. For people who wants to learn organic agriculture, the farm holds a four-day seminar and training on Agriculture, Agripreneur Organic Farming and Tourism.   

LAUGH: Our group was tasked to gather thirty (30) Culinary plants, ten (10) Botanical, ten (10) Pesticidal and ten (10) Medicinal plants. Initially, I thought it will be difficult to look for it and the farm was too big but we found them in one corner of Penalosa Farm! So, I realized that even in a very limited space, we could grow culinary and herbal plants in small pots and recycled plastic bottles. We could have our own Farmacy (pharmacy), perhaps a mini salad station in our own backyard. 

Can you identify the plants on the photo? The activity gave us the chance to know our plants, their use and benefits. We discover those that can be use in culinary and medicinal. Likewise, there are plants that are classified as botanical and can work as pesticidal. 

Mr. Penalosa stressed the need for transformation or behavioral change.

• From Monocrop to Integrated farming system
• From conventional and the use of harmful chemicals to 100% Organic farming. 
• From Farm to Farm Tourism. 

The transformation begins with information dissemination. He wants the people to realize that there is opportunity and money even in the countryside. His advocacy is to help Filipinos make use of the land, that they don't need to go far and leave their family. 

Penalosa Farm showcases improved organic farming practices. It produces an average of 60 tons of assorted certified organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and rice. They also produces Probiotic based pork, chicken and eggs that are hormone and antibiotic free. 

Without the usual foul smell from the piggery, we enjoyed healthy organic food and probiotic based chicken at Cafe Organico. 

LOVE: We were treated with healthy, scrumptious lunch and I just tasted the juiciest, meat-tender chicken binakol. What we ate at Penalosa Farm? Find out on my next post.    

Penalosa Organic Farm

Victoria City, Negros Occidental

Agricultural Training Institute Central Office
ATI Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman
Quezon City 1100 Philippines
Trunkline: (63-2) 9298541 to 49
Fax no. (63-2) 9209792

http://ati.da.gov.ph/

Other travel-related articles and farm sites in Bukidnon

Part 1: Binahon Farm: Lessons Learned and Realization

Part 2: Alomah's Place in Bukidnon

Part 3: Part 3: Jaya Secret Garden

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