[REPOST] What this nonprofit community farm in BGC can teach us about volunteerism
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. Source: https://fnbreport.ph/21033/what-nonprofit-community-farm-urban-farmers-in-bgc-can-teach-us-about-volunteerism/
[REPOST] Be Inspired: Get To Know The Urban Farmers Of Bel Air
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for healthy, chemical-free food became more urgent, leading to the creation of Urban Farmers of Bel-Air. Concerned about the safety of fresh vegetables and avoiding chemical-laden produce, founders Louie and his wife took matters into their own hands. They cultivated a 500 sq meter idle lot near their home, growing local vegetables like eggplant, okra, and mustard, along with high-value crops such as kale, arugula, and herbs. Initially inexperienced, Louie learned farming techniques through online resources and hired an agriculturist to train displaced workers from their business. Urban Farmers of Bel-Air has since evolved into a social enterprise, providing pesticide-free vegetables, potted plants, herbs, mushrooms, and other products. The enterprise also offers environmental consultations and landscape services to sustain operations. Their unique product, Edible Blooms by Maye, has become popular, while many visitors come to learn about backyard gardening and sustainable farming. The project now serves both the Bel-Air community and nearby disadvantaged areas, making it a successful venture in urban farming and food security. Source: https://www.eatmybananas.com/urban-farmers-of-bel-air/
[REPOST] Top Things To Do in BGC, Taguig
Urban Farmers PH in BGC is an innovative agricultural initiative that has garnered attention for its sustainable farming practices in the heart of the city. By utilizing vertical farming techniques and embracing hydroponics, Urban Farmers PH showcases how limited space can be maximized to grow a diverse range of produce. Their commitment to organic, pesticide-free cultivation has not only contributed to the local food movement but has also inspired urban dwellers to explore the possibilities of urban agriculture. With an emphasis on community engagement and education, Urban Farmers PH has become a focal point for workshops and tours, providing valuable insights into the future of urban farming. Source: https://travellingpeoples.com/2024/08/20/top-things-to-do-in-taguig-city-philippines/
[REPOST] Yara Philippines and Urban Farmers partner on promoting urban farming
Yara Philippines and Urban Farmers Philippines have signed a memorandum of agreement to support and help promote urban agriculture in the metro. Yara Philippines’ Country Manager Toby Goodroad and Urban Farmers Philippines Farmer in Chief Louie Gutierrez were present during the signing ceremony at BGC Community Farm, the first urban community farm in Taguig City. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), urban agriculture is practiced by 800 million people worldwide or over one-tenth of the global population. However, in the Philippines, urban farming is underdeveloped. “I think Urban Farmers’ mission to inspire people to do backyard farming, to utilize the land in the city is something we are very interested in,” said Goodroad. “Crops need nutrients. Yara will provide highly sustainable nutrients, giving the best yield to the land here.” “Farming is not a sexy career for young people. They would instead go digital,” observed Gutierrez. “We want to envision farming not only from the soil but digital as well. We hope to include more technology into farming to get the youth and the people more excited.” Yara and Urban Farmers Yara is a fertilizer company with the mission to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet and to deliver profitable and responsible solutions for agriculture and the environment. Yara’s partnership with Urban Farmers, a project driven by a passion to ease the emotional and social burden brought by COVID-19, aims to enhance the growing community activity by providing food, employment, and opportunities to people. The BGC Community Farm, more known as the farm in the city, is a sustainable and safe space that advocates for deeper appreciation of agriculture and host healthy recreational activities. Here, people can volunteer as urban farmers or adopt a pod. They can also buy fresh produce, seedlings, gardening materials and merchandise. Urban Farmers also offer agriculture workshops for kids and adults. Why the need for urban farming? Population growth and urban expansion have put increasing pressure on food security. As populations grow, more people need to be fed, and with agricultural lands being converted to accommodate urbanization there has been a growing concern on food shortage hence, poor nutrition. Moreover, the rising fuel prices and supply chain issues had food prices soaring. Still, many hope to find solutions to the country’s food problems. One of which is urban farming like what is being done in the BGC Community Farm. It is committed to provide a scalable solution to the problem and have more cities adopt the same model in the future. Encouraging urban farming Yara Philippines offers a variety of premium products with complete formulations best suited for urban farming. “Yara will offer the same products that we would use if we were in Benguet and other vegetable area in the country,” added Goodroad. “We’ve got lots of experience not just in the knowledge side of growing crops, but most importantly we want to get the most yield out of the small piece of land that we have. That’s the best we can do from a sustainability standpoint.” “The prices of vegetables have gone up. It is in our best interest to start growing our food, especially in the city,” said Gutierrez. “If we are to plant here and Yara can provide crop nutrition solutions thru their fertilizers and trainings, then we can create more yield even in a limited space. This is going to be a good project.” Source: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/204955/yara-philippines-and-urban-farmers-partner-on-promoting-urban-farming