MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

GARDEN OF LIFE is a farm that practices the standards of an organic farm. The farm is designed in terraces using rocks as rip-rap or retaining wall since the farm is only 1,500 sq. meters . The farmer practices intensive farming to maximize the time, space and the farm. The farm is being sheltered by a rain shelter with plastic roofing. The plots are enclosed as an open box with bricks to keep the enriched soil and compost from spreading to the pathway and keeps the soil nutrients in place and always available to the plants. Plots have standard width of one meter making it easier for the farmer to compute how many seedlings they need to prepare in the nursery. RAIN SHELTER Garden of life as an organic farm absolutely does not use any synthetic/chemical inputs to address fertilization and pest problems. The farm practices pure organic agriculture. In the Philippines especially in Benguet topsoil are easily wash away and even leached soil minerals due to heavy rain falls. Due to this scenario in the locality the farmer protects his crops in the production area from the rain by rain shelter with plastic roofing. The plots are enclosed as an open box with bricks to keep the enriched soil and compost from spreading to the pathway and keeps the soil nutrients in place and always available to the plants. Plots have standard width of 1 meter making for the farmer to compute how many seedlings they need to prepare in the nursery.

NURSERY MANAGEMENT

The nursery beds of the farm are designed on the side portion of the main garden. Stalls are installed to maximize the space for the nursery trays. Nursery trays used are recycled styroboxes, papers and plastic trays. Most of the crops are first planted in the trays for germination for fifteen days afterwhich the seedlings are transferred to bigger and single pots for another fifteen days but if some seedlings are seen to be vigorous and robust they can now be transplanted to the plots.. Some crops like carrots, beans, cucumber and others are sensitive to transplanting, the seeds are planted in paper pots placed on the tray hole to avoid root stress and not be disturbed during transplanting.

The farm is design in terraces using rocks as rip-rap or retaining wall. Since the farm is small in area. The farmer practices intensive farming to maximize the

time, space and the farm. The farmer has a nursery to maximize time, space and planning. Most crops are first planted in trays for germination until fifteen days. After fifteen days, the seedlings are transferred to bigger and single pots and another fifteen days will be the plant to stay in that pot. The farmer transplanted the seedlings to the garden plots even the plant not yet reach fifteen days if it is robust and vigorous. The crops will stay 21-30 days before it will be harvested. While crops that are sensitive to transplanting like carrots, beans, cucumber, and others are planted in paper pots place on the tray hole to avoid roots stress and not be disturb during transplanting.

NURSERY PLANNING
Type of Vegetables Time Spent in Nursery Germination Tray Lettuce Pechay Broccoli Polonsai Carrots Sugarbeets Tatsoi beans Tomato 7-10 days 3-4 days 15-20 days 4-5 days 4 days 4-5 days 5-7 days Individual Pots 10-15 days 7-10 days 18-20 days 10-15 days 14-21 days 7-10 days 15-20 days 10-15 days Seeding/Seedin g rate 1 per pot 1 per pot 1 per pot 1 per pot 3-4 per pot 1 per pot 1 per pot 1 per pot Field Planting field Plant Spacing romaine4inches, curly letuce-6inches 3-4 inches 12-14 inches 2-3 inches 3-4 inches 3-4 inches 3-4 inches 7-10 inches 8-10 inches Maturity/Harve st Period 30days 30 days 60 days 30-45 days 65-75 days 75-90 days 30 days 45-50 days 65-75 days

* Other crops that were planted but planted in the farm was all in direct seeding Nursery Schedule

We e k ly N o . Ve g e table s no . o f tray N o . o f Po ts 1 Letuce R omaine 2 Lollo B ionda 0.50 craquerelle 0.5 Lollo rosa 0.5 2 Tatsoi 12 3 C ilantro 1 3plots- 1kg 4 w heatgrass per plot 5 P olonsai(pechay) 3 6 coriander 2

E v e ry 1 5 days 1 beans

1 P LO T

E v e ry mo nth 1 B rocc oli 2 A rugula 3 celery 4 C arrots

1 1 1 3

PLANTING MANAGEMENT

The seedlings are transplanted on the plots when they reached the desired size and stage of the plant. The crops will stay 21-30 days on the plots before it will be harvested. Plots are intensively maximized and transplanting of seedlings are well programmed that these are not left unplanted even for a day. Distance of planting are determined and the example are cited on the nursery table. The seedlings are transplanted when they reached the desired size or the plants in the plots. The farmer chooses very well the plants to be transplanted. Distance of planting are determine and the example are cited in the table of the nursery table . ( please refer to the nursery table attached)

IRRIGATION The source of irrigation water is a spring inside the farm. Two water tanks and a water reservoir are installed to store the water supply of the farm. The water is potable that it is also a source of drinking water not only for them but also a source for his neighbors. Irrigation is done manually with a long hose wherein only the soil is watered avoiding the leaves to get wet. This practice has done something in avoiding the blemish of matured leaves and preventing fungal and viral diseases enhanced by high moisture retention on the leaves. Two weeks before harvest, this practice is strictly followed. A drip irrigation system is programmed on the last quarter of 2010 to enhance his farm. The project is ready for installation. CY

The source of irrigation water is a spring inside the farm. The farmer installed two (2) water tanks and a water reservoir to store water. The water is also potable and his neighboring farmer gets their drinking water in that spring. Irrigation is done manually with a long hose wherein only the soil gets dense avoiding the leaves to be moist. This practice has done something in avoiding in breaking mature leaves and preventing fungal and viral diseases enhanced by high moisture retention of the leaves. SOIL MANAGEMENT

The farm started its farm operations with liquid fertilizers available in the locality. Compost was the main fertilizer for his crops. Now he produces his own compost. Raw materials are gathered within the perimeter of the farm. These collected materials are then shred and sprayed with effective microorganism that would enhance the composting. Compost tea has been also collected for a purpose. A vermin composting facility was also introduced in the farm. Garden plots are fertilized before transplanting. Compost are applied during hoeing of the plots by making a trench and covering the compost 2 to 3 inches thick garden soil for better usage and absorption of minerals by the plants. Vermin compost is applied when it is observed that the plant have not responded to the compost. Soil fertility is maintained to avoid too much application of fertilizer and for optimum crop performance. According to the soil analysis ( see soil analysis result attached ) of the farm it has 16% organic matter that maintains the soil productivity. At the first two years of operation Mr. Tan uses liquid fertilizers, such as fermented materials that are available in the locality and in the farm. He also uses compost as main fertilizer for his crops. He never uses animal manure especially the chicken manure to avoid the pathogens that may present in it and to prevent pathogens to infect the crops.

He also produces his own compost. He gathers available raw materials in the perimeter then shred the collected materials and spray it with effective microorganism that would enhance the composting. Compost tea has been also collected for a purpose. They also have a vermin composting facility to produce more fertilizer. He uses grasses, legumes and other raw materials for his vermin and composting. Garden plots have been fertilized before transplanting. Compost has been applied as the main fertilizer. They applied the compost during hoeing of the plots making a trench and covering the compost 2-3inches thick garden soil for better usage and absorption of minerals by the plants. When the farmer sees/observed that his crops have not responded to the compost, vermin compost is also applied. Soil fertility is maintained to avoid too much application of fertilizer and for optimum crop performance. According to the soil analysis ( see soil analysis result attached ) of the farm it has 16% organic matter that maintains the soil productivity.

HARVESTING Crops are harvested late in the afternoon and ready for market the following morning. These vegetables are harvested manually through the use of a pruner/ cutter. Leafy vegetables are cut on its base. Every crop is harvested according to its maturity stage presented in the nursery planning table. All out harvesting is practiced in every plot of the farm. This practice helps a lot in the crop programming of the farm. Crates are used to haul and deliver the organic produce. Upon reaching maturity, the vegetables are harvested manually. They thoroughly choose the mature and ready to harvest plants. They cut the leafy vegetables in its base to get the right size of the plants. The farmer uses crates to haul and transport his produce

PACKAGING

After harvest, the products are weighed , packed and labelled into individual food grade plastic bags weighing kgs per pack. Plastic bags are provided by the La Top cooperative. Aside from the plastic bags these are packed in cartoon boxes if sent through utility buses. The products of Garden of Life is now labeled with the OCCP logo. After harvest, the vegetables are weighed and packed in to individual plastic bag weighing kgs per pack. He packaged the vegetables in a cartoon box and sent them through passenger utility buses at night so that the product would reach the client as fresh harvest. The farmers product has also been label. The label has been produce by the cooperative were he is a member and then indicates that he is one on the highest ranking and one of the OCCP accredited.

MARKETING

Garden of Life Products are marketed in the locality and as far as Manila. The main market outlet is the La TOP MPC shop at the La Trinidad market. There are also 28 individual buyers who have signified their orders. Most of these individuals are his clients in his alternative medicine consultation. Orders for Manila are being packed neatly inside a box and sent thru bus during night time. Some shops have also signified to become retailer outlets. Products are delivered by the farmer himself.

Packed vegetables are directly delivered to the market outlet to the LaTOP MPC as the main market and the marketing arm of organic practitioner cooperative he joined in and to individual clients who directly ordered to him. In case of the clients are residing in manila or outside the province, he delivered the produce through passenger buses going to the destination of the product.

PROCESSING The farmer also processes his produce especially the wheatgrass. Many of his clients in wheatgrass have no time to process the raw plants. He then acquired juicer to process the plants. He only processes and sells the wheatgrass juice if there are orders.

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

The farmer believes that soil fertility plays a great role in crop protection. A healthy soil manages pest and diseases through diversity. Healthy soil prevents soil borne diseases due to suppressive population of good microorganism. In this observation, he then concluded that the nature work for itself without intervention, just bring back the natural form of the soil/earth. The farmer practice multi-cropping. He plants more than 10 vegetable varieties simultaneously. Intercropping and companion cropping is also applied as the multi-cropping dictated. This is for the reason of confusing the insect pest to reduce injuries to the plants. Crop rotation is also practiced religiously, to avoid diseases continuity. It is

done through rotating four kinds of plant crops as shown in his crop pattern table. However, he uses xentrix a bacillus turengensis spray to control larvae that are infesting his crops. They also use pis-itox manual picking of larvae and then crushing it by bare hands. In times of occurrence of diseases, the farmer applies compost tea as spray to suppress the causal microorganism through good microorganism. The farmer also uses biological spray in controlling insect in the farm. Likewise, he avoids the use of botanical sprays because he believes that botanical pesticides might unknowingly affects the predators.

As for pest management, though the farmer know how to prepare and produce botanical pesticides but the farmer avoids using those botanical pesticides for the farmer believes in the principle of balance ecology. If there are pest, natural predators are also attracted to the farm to control those pest to produce balance ecology. Whenever one spray of any botanical pesticide it might unknowingly affect the predators of another pest disrupting the balance. Therefore, he will have another pest problem the next time due to the absence of predators that has been affected to the sprays. However, he uses xentrix a bacillus turengensis spray to control larvae that are infesting his crops. They also use pis-itox manual picking of larvae and then crushing it by bare hands. And there are some practices that the farmer employed as a prevention of pest and diseases. Soil fertility has a great role in crop protection. A healthy soil manages pest and diseases through diversity. Healthy soil prevents soil borne diseases due to suppressive population of good microorganism. In this observation, he then concluded that the nature work for itself without intervention just bring back the natural form of the soil/earth. Pest is also a minor problem of organic farmers; the farmer observes that his crop is more resistant than other crops that were conventionally grown. His crops has been harder than those of conventionally grown that could resist or not attractive to the insect pest. In times of occurrence of diseases, the farmer applies compost tea as spray to suppress the causal microorganism through good microorganism. The farmer uses biological spray in controlling insect in the farm. The farmer practiced multi-cropping. The farmer plants more than 10 vegetable varieties simultaneously. Intercropping and companion cropping is also applied as the multi-cropping dictated. This is for the reason of confusing the insect pest to reduce injuries to the plants. Crop rotation is also practiced religiously, to avoid diseases continuity. It is done through rotating four kinds of plant crops as shown below.

COMPOSTING A composting shed with concrete flooring which is designed with slight inclination to collect the plant juice called compost tea was constructed by the farmer. All kinds of weeds around the farm were gathered and shredded. After shredding the farmer file up the shredded materials and sprayed it with effective microorganism 1 (EM) as inoculants. The pile is being turned as often as possible at least one a week. After two weeks, the compost is ready to be applied. The farm has no measurement in applying the compost in the garden plots. The farmer use the compost as frequent before transplanting. The farmer newly engaged in vermiculture. Currently, the farmer uses the recycled plastic trays, black plastic bags and concrete floor as vermin beds in vermicomposting. Vermicast are then gathered and stored ready for use.

The farmer put up composting shed with concrete flooring which design with slight inclination to collect the plant juice called compost tea. Above is a roof to protect the compost from rain. They gather all kinds of weeds around the farm and shred them with an electric shredder. After shredding, the farmer file up the shredded materials and sprayed with effective microorganism 1 (EM) as inoculants. The pile is being turned as often as possible at least one a week. After two weeks, the compost is ready to be applied. The farm has no measurement in applying the compost in the garden plots. The farmer used as frequent as every before planting. The farmer is also engage in vermiculture. Currently, the farmer uses three methods in vermicomposting. In each cropping, big volume of plant-based compost with vermicast are applied to the soil every before transplanting.

CROP ROTATION/ PATTERN TABLE NURSERY CODE I-A PLOT # 1 2 FIRST wheatgrass coriander carrots, wheatgrass wheatgrass letuce(redromain e) tatsoi,wheatgras s tatsoi letuce, craq celery lollo rosa redwave

CROPPING SECOND tatsoi barley, wheatgrass letuce(lollo rosa, lollo kimda) wansoi, letuce wheat grass, tatsoi craq letuce(redromai ne) beans violet beans celery leeks THIRD celery letuce FOURTH barley, letuce, tatsoi wheatgrass

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

wheatgrass faballa letuce cucumber broccoli barley, wheatgrass coriander, tatsoi pechay grandrapid letuce carrots letuce wheatgrass, letuce cherry tomato violet beans violet beans frenh beans wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass herbs broccoli sugarbeets tatsoi wansoy letuce letuce lollo bianda letuce wheatgrass cherry tomato cucumber redwave letuce broccoli cilantro tatsoi wansoy coriander, tatsoi herbs wheatgrass carrots celery sugarbeets letuce violet beans

coriander tatsoi,wansoy wheatgrass frenchbeans weatgrass broccoli, cilantro, tatsoi wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass craquerel

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 I-B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 II-B 1 2 3 4 II-C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

sugarbeets french beans wheatgrass wheatgrass wansoy barley cucumber tatsoi letuce wansoy wheatgrass letuce, faballa cilantro sugarbeets zuchini spinach leeks violet beans spinach nz spinach nz violet beans violet beans spinach french beans leeks leeks violet beans wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass letuce tatsoi wansoy sugarbeets wheatgrass wheatgrass letuce

wheatgrass wheatgrass letuce wansoi,tatsoi letuce broccoli broccoli letuce cilandra coriander cucumber letuce craq letuce redwave barley, wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass coriander celery wansoi tatsoi sugarbeets cherry tomato letuce wheatgrass letuce letuce tatsoi wansoi arugula celery barley violet beans frenchbeans wansoi

letuce, sugarbeets wheatgrass polonsai lollorosa, lollo bionda wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass violet beans letuce zuchini frenchbeans cucumber violetbeans violetbeans violetbeans violetbeans violetbeans violetbeans violetbeans violetbeans violetbeans zuchini zuchini barley, wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass letuce arugula faballa letuce wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass wheatgrass

FARM DEVELOPMENT PLAN

F C IT A IL Y 1 C postingS om hed 2 R inS a helter (II-B II-C , ) 3 verm ulture shed ic D rip Irrig tion a 4 Fa ilities c R in shelter(I-B I-C Ia , , 5D ) BDE U GT 3 ,0 0 0 0 0 .0 9 ,0 0 0 0 0 .0 1 0 .0 ,5 0 0 2 ,0 0 0 5 0 .0 9 ,0 0 0 0 0 .0 P O C SA T D R JE T T R E T G TP O C A E R JE T C M LTD O PE E Ma h1 2 0 rc , 0 9 Ma h3 , 2 0 rc 0 0 9 April 1 2 0 , 09 April 3 , 2 0 1 09 Ja 0 n-1 Ja 0 n-1 Nov-1 0 Apr-1 1 onprog ress onprog ress