
The blog post tells the inspiring story of Louie Gutierrez, founder of Urban Farmers PH, who ventured into urban farming during the pandemic to support his employees and address food security. Prior to the pandemic, Louie had never farmed a single day in his life. As the managing partner of Silverworks, a chain of 70 sterling silver jewelry stores, he was forced to close all his stores in March 2020, leaving him without income and needing a way to help his 500 employees.
It was during this time that Louie stumbled upon a vacant lot in Bel-Air, filled with overgrown weeds, and an idea struck him—farming. Despite his lack of experience, he approached the lot owner for permission to use the land for farming, to which the owner agreed since no immediate plans for development were in place. Thus, Urban Farmers PH was born. What started as a small initiative in Bel-Air soon caught the attention of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC), who offered him a 1,500-square meter lot behind St. Luke’s Hospital in BGC to replicate his urban farming venture. Initially skeptical, FBDC was convinced after seeing the success of Louie’s smaller farm in Bel-Air.
Louie Gutierrez and his team at Urban Farmers PH hope to spark interest in agriculture among Filipinos, especially the youth, by showing that farming can be fun and rewarding. The organization is not trying to “save the world,” as Louie humbly puts it, but they hope to inspire others to start their own farms, whether in the city or in rural areas. This initiative aims to promote self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imported food, and stabilize food prices by encouraging people to grow their own food.
The Urban Farmers PH team, including Louie, Maye, Marian, and Francesco, are working to nurture this small urban farm into something that could have a lasting impact on food security in the Philippines. They believe that with continued effort, the project could inspire a new generation of passionate farmers who can contribute to a more food-secure and sustainable future.
In conclusion, Urban Farmers PH is not just about planting crops—it’s about planting ideas, passion, and community spirit. Through their urban farming initiatives, they hope to inspire others to take part in the movement for a greener, more self-sufficient future, one small farm at a time.