I typically love the still lifes of produce that I shoot after a visit to the Herbana Farms stall at the Salcedo Market on Saturdays. Their selection of produce is unusual and the vegetables and herbs always look so genuine… Yesterday was no exception and my haul included several bunches of organically grown sweet baby carrots with tops (our pet rabbit loves these carrot tops). I also got some fresh soybeans (edamame) that taste great simply steamed and make for incredibly healthy munching. I also got some kohlrabi and tamarillos (that for some reason everyone seems to call Japanese or Spanish tomatoes…).
Gil Carandang also asked me to announce that he is holding a two-day intensive organic farming seminar at his farm in Calamba, Laguna from October 27-28 from 9am to 5 pm. I think spaces are limited and while I personally would love to attend, I have a black thumb and therefore a tendency to kill anything I plant so I would rather BUY my produce from organic farmers instead. But if you have any interest in serious backyard organic farming or larger scale commercial operations, contact Herbana Farms directly at the numbers below… gosh, I wish a lot more folks would pursue organic farming…
Herbana Organic Farms, Inc
Km. 59, Barangay Burol
Calamba City, Laguna
Contact:
Monina Carandang 0921-6647027 or 0920-5445439
RT Gonzales 02-8544840 or 09285029897
Website: www.herbanafarms.com
Email: herbanafarms@yahoo.com
16 Responses
I thought that growing veggies was just peanuts so to speak. It is a lot of hard work—preparing the soil, organizing the sprouts in even rows and then weeding and checking out daily for snails, worms, etc. Composting, a main feature of organic farming, is also quite tedious if one has to go by the rules. Kaya I’m so in awe with people who can grow their own veggies without chemical fertilizers. Carrots, for one, are sooo sensitive to soil content.
Thank you for the website of Herbana Farms, MM! I have been on the lookout for local farmers’ websites or blogs, but find none.
your pictures reminded me of the leaflets i made for my undergrad thesis- market research and development of organically-grown vegetables in uplb… growing and selling of organic veggies were very difficult then, very labor intensive, unattractive produce and dissapointing returns to growers. now, “going organic” is beginning to get more popular,thanks to the advocates spreading the good news about its benefits health and environment-wise. let us support the farmers improving and sharing organic farming know-hows and making such commodities available to/ for every hapag-kainans of our fellow mang pandoys.
I have a friend who owns a farm in Nueva Ecija, she attended one of Mr. Carandang’s seminars and it got her really inspired! She was a city girl who never thought she’d get accustomed, much less enjoy living in a farm. Now she seldom goes to Manila and grows organic herbs & crops using her very own organic methods & pesticides. Talking to her makes me want to become a farmer too. Maybe Gil Carandang’s seminars are really infectious.
Good to know that Kohlrabi grows in PI. I’ve been using Kohlrabi in lieu of Chayote for several years now. Very tasty, raw or cooked.
Aside from the distinctive fresh taste, when you know the difference of growing vegetables and animals organically, you will not want to touch anything sprayed and bombarded with pesticides/antibiotics.
Agrilink 2007 is on for Oct4-6 at the World Trade Center. There are a lot of free seminars too for organically growing herbs, vegetables and chickens.
I hope people really go back to to basics and see the benefit of healthier food.
Gil has a lot of surprises in his stall. I really hope to visit his farm while it’s still rainy. Thanks for the info.
Does anybody have info on who sells nutmeg seedling or young tree? I read years ago about a guy who does in Bae but wasn’t able to note it down.
Oh! I think I’m going to be out of town that weekend…pity because I would have loved to attend! MM, I have killed a lot of plants in my time but I’m fixated with the idea that I can be a farmer (organic farmer/free-range pig raiser) :) Shucks…and I love Herbana Farms!
I was wondering what those were! They said Spanish tomatoes…how did they taste?
joey, the last time I tasted these (see link to tamarillos) they were AWFUL, but that was because I ate the skin. I am waiting for these to ripen a bit more and will try them in a salsa… They weren’t cheap at PHP120 a kilo, but you only need a few…
Hi MM, Donna Hay has a recipe for tamarillos poached/soaked in sauternes…they are indeed peeled and look more orangey-yellow…
I patronize organic farming and livestock taste much better and great for the environment.
did u offer on the job training on your farm?
As you enter herbana farms, there are three majestic green houses that greet you and then you meet gil:) and his beautiful wife……it is truly a very sacred land and a must visitif organic farming- is of an interest. He has lavender growing and a house made of mud being built, he is a fountain of knowledge and a true organic activist:)
Thanks for the info on Herbana Farms.My visit to PI will include organic farming lessons.
Me and my wife just finish the seminar of Mr.Gil Carandang at laguna he change future in life he inspired us not only in living a healty life but also in relationship with nature.Mr.Carandang is really a great guy simple,straight forward guy he really teaches you everything you need to know.Thanks Mr.Carandang me and my wife is so excited now in putting our own small organic farm.
Hi, I am into organic farming
I have just bought a 1.5 hectares of farm lot, somewhere in Bulacan, I am planning to grow common vegies which are commonly seen in a public market.
I know I have no enough knowledge on this thing and so I wanted to know if herbana farms is open anytime for me to get ideas on how to do it.
Thank you
hi, good morning sir,
please help me organic framing.
i am from india, gujarat.
jay swaminarayan