ORGANIC FARM JOURNAL (HOPE FOR THE ISLAND)

GRS 497: Hope for the Island Farm Internship in Siargao, Philippines

May 4 – July 25, 2016

By: Ryah Rondolo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Summary

II. Introduction

1. Author’s Background

2. Background on HOPE Organic Farm

3. Purpose of HOPE Organic Farm

III. Sustainable Agricultural Techniques at the HOPE Farm:

1. Effective Microorganisms

2. Crop Rotation

3. Legume Usage and Intercropping

4. Composting

i. Aerobic Composting

ii. Anaerobic Composting

iii. Vermiculture

5. Mulching and Minimal Tillage

6. Livestock Integration

IV. Conclusion

V. Acknowledgement

I. SUMMARY

In this journal, I discuss the organic farming techniques that I have observed, learned, and

applied in the field during my three-month internship at the Hope for the Island Organic

Farm. These techniques include the use of Effective Microorganisms, crop rotation,

intercropping, composting, and livestock integration. The HOPE farmers adopted these

techniques after a combination of research, education, sharing knowledge with other

farmers, and most importantly, years of experimenting and trial and error.

II. INTRODUCTION

It was an honor to have been the first farm intern at the HOPE Organic Farm. The HOPE

farmers put so much hard work, love, and care into the farm, and it was an invaluable

experience to learn from them and work alongside them during my internship.

The family who maintain the farm was generous in sharing with me their knowledge

acquired from their seven years’ experience in organic farming.

Picture 1 HOPE farm family sells produce at a nutrition festival in Siargao

Picture 2 I shared many laughs with the farm family during my time at the farm

1. Author’s Background

I am currently a student at the University of British Columbia (UBC), completing a

Bachelor of Science in Global Resource Systems. Prior to starting my farm internship

in Siargao, I had minimal hands-on farming experience. I took sustainable agriculture

courses during my second year of university studies1 and established a basic

theoretical understanding of agriculture. My farm internship at the HOPE Organic

Farm helped me to solidify and advance my knowledge and skills in this area. I was

able to closely observe a complex organic farm system over three months and gain

plenty of hands-on experience such as planting and harvesting a variety of crops,

removing weeds, and shoveling/harvesting some good ol’ goat manure (excellent for

the plants, but definitely not good for the nose - haha).

My career aspiration is to work with a non-profit organization like Hope for the

Island, specializing in international development and sustainable agriculture. The

internship was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and it has further

encouraged me to pursue my goal to work full-time in this field after graduation.

1 Courses include Applied Biology (APBI) 260 – Intro to Agroecology, Land & Food Systems (LFS) 250 – Land, Food and Community II, and Food & Resource Economics (FRE) 340 – International Agricultural Development

Picture 3 I help pack produce for delivery to the resorts across the island

2. Background on HOPE ORGANIC FARM

The HOPE Organic Farm is located in Siargao, Philippines. Siargao is a small island

located in the northern Mindanao region of the Philippines; it has a tropical climate

(see Pictures 3 and 4). The tropical climate allows for continual food production at

the farm year-round.

The main customers of the HOPE farm produce are resorts in the tourist areas of

Siargao. Resort owners place weekly orders and the HOPE farmers harvest

accordingly. Siargao is relatively undeveloped compared to other areas in the

Philippines; there is a burden of poverty in many of the Siargao communities, and

most locals cannot afford to purchase high value organic produce from the HOPE

farm.

Picture 5 Map of Philippines (2016) Picture 4 Map of Siargao (2016)

The HOPE Organic Farm was established in 2009 by Derek and Jenn Van Ryckeghem,

the directors of Hope for the Island. While the farm is managed by the Van

Ryckeghems, the main HOPE farmers are Herdel and Ana Loyola.

The HOPE Organic Farm is three hectares. A wide variety of vegetable and fruit crops

are grown including kale, lettuce, eggplant, tomatoes, Swiss chard, beets, okra, long

beans, asparagus, kangkong, pechay, herbs, sweet potato, coconuts, bananas,

rambutan, and papaya. Goats, sheep, and ducks are also raised on the farm. The

agricultural techniques used on the farm are based on Keith O. Mikkelson’s farming

system and book, Sustainable Agriculture: A Natural Farming System in the Tropics

(Mikkelson, 2005). Keith Mikkelson is the Founder and Executive of Aloha House Inc.,

a non-profit organization that is located on an organic farm in Palawan, Philippines

Picture 7 Me (right) with farm managers, Derek & Jenn Van Ryckeghem

Picture 6 Herdel & Ana Loyola, HOPE Farmers

(Mikkelson, 2005). Throughout this journal, I describe and explain Mikkelson’s system

as utilized and adapted at the HOPE farm.

Picture 8 View of the HOPE Farm from the corn/peanut fields

Picture 9 The heart of the HOPE Farm, the greenhouse.

3. Purpose of HOPE Organic Farm

The HOPE farm produces fresh, healthy

food for local Siargao communities in a

sustainable way – it is good for both the

people and the environment. The purpose

of operating the HOPE organic farm,

however, goes beyond just producing food.

Hope for the Island is a non-profit

organization that strives to alleviate the

burden of poverty in the local community

by offering youth and children’s ministry

programs and feeding programs for

malnourished children and elderly. The

profits from the farm allow the

organization’s programs to develop and be

sustainable (D. Van Ryckeghem, personal communication, 2016). Each

purchase made at the HOPE farm provides customers with organic quality local

produce that in turn enables HOPE to give back to the Siargao community through

their ministries and programs. In the future, the organization hopes to teach

sustainable agricultural techniques within local schools, promoting the benefits of

organic farming for the environment and for the local community.

Picture 10

III. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES AT THE HOPE FARM:

1. Effective Microorganisms:

Background: One of the main organic farming techniques at the

HOPE farm is the use of “effective microorganisms”. In the 1980s, Dr.

Teruo Higa, a professor at the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa,

Japan, developed a technology that uses a combination of beneficial

microorganisms to prevent disease and efficiently convert waste into

organic amendments, feed stock, and fertilizer (Zhou, Li, Jun, & Bo,

2009; Mikkelson, 2005, p. 36). This technology is called Effective

Microorganisms (EM1). EM1 contains a combination of more than 80

strains of beneficial, naturally occurring (non-GMO) microorganisms

in a brown, liquid solution (Zhou, Li, Jun, & Bo, 2009; Mikkelson, 2005, p. 36).

These specially selected symbiotic microorganisms include lactic acid bacteria,

yeasts, photosynthetic bacteria, molds, and fermenting fungi (Mikkelson,

2005, p. 43). Working together, the beneficial microorganisms enhance the

quality of the soil and feed while minimizing disease (Zhou, Li, Jun, & Bo,

2009; Mikkelson, 2005, p. 36). EM1 can be applied (sprayed) on crops and soil

as well as in compost, livestock bedding/bedding, manure, and feed (Zhou, Li,

Jun, & Bo, 2009). It has also been used in environmental protection such as

“waste deodorization, wastewater treatment, and eutrophication control”

(Zhou, Li, Jun, & Bo, 2009).

Picture 11 EM1 product used at the HOPE farm

With high organic matter in the soil, the application of EM1 increases EM

populations in the soil (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 42); these EMs outcompete the

pathogens, thus suppressing soil borne diseases.

Phototrophs in EM1 convert and synthesize sun energy into plant food that is

taken through the stomata. The microorganisms can also use heat energy

instead of sunlight to convert organic matter into fertilizer or higher quality

feed (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 37).

In livestock housing, spraying EM1 on the bedding, cement, and housing

minimizes methane gases and ammonia as the EMs work to biologically out-

compete the pathogens (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 40). It helps minimize the stench,

improve animal health, increase the fertilizer value of manure, and enhance

the manure’s humus increasing capacities when applied to soil (Scheub,

2016).

1. Use of compost, manure, other organic fertilizers ↑ Organic matter in soil

2. Application of EM1 ↑ EM in soil EM outcompete pathogens ↓ pathogens

and soil borne diseases

Diagram 1 – Concept of EM

Picture 12 Ana sprays the goat house with EME

The main limitation of EM1 is the problem of “reproducibility and lack of

consistent results” (Higa & Parr, 1994). Ecologists Megali, Schlau, & Rasmann

conducted a meta-analysis assessing the effect of EM on plant growth and

yield (2015); they find that EM has indeed resulted in increased crop yields

and growth, “matching or even outperforming plants treated with

conventional chemical fertiliser”, however, there have been cases where it

has also resulted in decreased plant defenses against insect pests (Megali et

al., 2015; Megali, Glauser, & Rasmann, 2014). In a study by Megali, Glauser, &

Rasmann, for example, they found that tomato crops treated with EM

“sustained 25% higher insect survival”; they explain that the EM-treatment

resulted in impairment of chemical defence production in the plants (2014).

Due to the species-specific effects of EM, Megali et al. highlight the

importance of conducting “localized, species-specific field tests [which] should

be performed before broad application” of products such as EM1 (Megali et

al., 2015).

At the HOPE farm: we use EM1 as the base for “Effective Microorganisms

Extended” (EME). To make EME, we dilute the EM1 with water and add

molasses. The lactic acid bacteria “consumes the sugars and causes the EM to

go dormant, granting a stable shelf life” (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 54). We spray

EME on the crops and soil as well as in livestock feed and housing. We also

use EME for EM Bokashi (see section on Anaerobic Compost for further

details).

Picture 13 Ana makes EME (EM1, Water, and Molasses)

Picture 14 Ana and Herdel apply EME when making livestock feed

Personal Comments: The EM technology is one of the few sustainable agricultural

techniques implemented at HOPE that I hadn’t studied or heard about before. I

understood the importance of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, but prior to my

internship, I had not known about the specific EM technology. I’m glad to have

learned about it during my time at the HOPE farm. From my observation, HOPE

farmers find EM a straightforward technology to use, and it enhances crop yield and

growth, suppresses soil borne diseases, reduces odors in livestock housing, and

increases soil fertility. EM1 is also easily available as it is “sold in over 120 countries”

including the Philippines (EM Research Organization, 2016). Nevertheless, there have

indeed been some pest issues at the HOPE farm, but it is uncertain if it is simply due

to the lack of chemical pesticides, or whether the application of EM (and possible

weakened plant defenses as a result) have caused pest issues to become more

severe. It would be interesting and helpful to conduct species-specific tests at the

HOPE farm regarding EM use and pest attacks.

2. Crop Rotation

Crop rotation involves diversifying the beds with different crops (as opposed to

maintaining monocultures) to avoid problems such as increased disease and pest

attacks and soil infertility/exhaustion of nutrients (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 73). It is a

common technique that I have studied in my academic courses, so it was no surprise

that it is being implemented at the HOPE farm. There are 85 crop beds at the HOPE

farm; in them, over 30 different crops from nine different crop families are being

grown.

One of my projects as a farm intern was to enhance the efficiency of record keeping

at the farm; this is included making an electronic copy of the crop rotation order with

crop family color coding (see Spreadsheet 1) as well as creating an Excel spreadsheet

for bed inventory (Spreadsheets 2 and 3)2.

2 I have included the complete Excel spreadsheets in the internship package

Picture 15 Different crops are grown in rotation in the beds, increasing the biodiversity at the HOPE farm

Order # Crop Notes

1 Legume/Bean Family

2 Cabbage & Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

3 Lettuce

4 Marigold/Onion Use marigold only if bed has disease

5 Lettuce

6 Corn Plant only Feb-Sep (sunny months only)

7 Kangkong

8 Nightshade (Solcuaceae, Eggplant, Pepper, Potato, Tomato) Nightshade cannot be planted on same bed for 3 years

9 Lettuce

10 Beet Root (Beets, Swiss Chard)

11 Legume/Bean Family

12 Lettuce

13 Carrot Family, Celery, Parsley, Parsnip Carrots cannot be planted on same bed for 3 years

14 Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Mint, Coriander, Turmeric)

15 Mallow Family (Okra)

16 Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Mint, Coriander, Turmeric)

17 Lettuce

18 Legume/Bean Family

19 Cabbage & Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

20 Lettuce

21 Marigold Always use in second cycle

22 Onion

23 Lettuce

24 Corn Plant only Feb-Sep (sunny months only)

25 Kangkong

26 Lettuce

27 Beet Root (Beets, Swiss Chard)

28 Legume/Bean Family

29 Lettuce

30 Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Mint, Coriander, Turmeric)

31 Mallow Family (Okra)

32 Lettuce

33 Squash Family (Umpalaya, Cucumber)

Proceed back to 1 at beginning

ROTATION ORDER

Spreadsheet 1 – HOPE Crop Rotation Order (Sample)

Bed # Rotation # May Rotation # Jun

1 Lettuce 31 Mallow Family (Okra)

2 Herbs 16 BP

3 Herbs 30 Herbs

4 BP 2 BP

5 Nightshade 8 Nightshade

6 Herbs 16 BP

7 Beet Root Family 27 Beet Root Family

8 Mallow Family (Okra) 30 Herbs

9 Mallow Family (Okra) 30 Herbs

10 Carrot Family 13 Carrot Family

11 Beet Root Family 10 Beet Root Family

12 Asparagus Asparagus

13 Cabbage & Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) 19 Cabbage & Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

14 Carrot Family 14 Herbs

15 Cabbage & Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) 2 Cabbage & Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

16 BP 1 Legume/Bean Family

17 Nightshade 1 Legume/Bean Family

18 Lettuce 8 Nightshade

19 BP 1 Legume/Bean Family

20 Carrot Family 13 Carrot Family

Bed Rotation Log (May - Dec 2016)

Spreadsheet 2 – Master Bed Inventory (Sample)

Bed # Rotation Order # Crop Family Crop 1 Crop 2

1 31 Mallow Family (Okra) Okra

2 17 RT RT

3 30 Herbs Common mint

4 3 Lettuce Lettuce

5 8 Nightshade Eggplant

6 17 Lettuce Lettuce

7 27 Beet Root Family Beets Petchay

8 30 Herbs Pesto basil

9 30 Herbs Common mint

10 13 Carrot Family Parsley

Bed Rotation Log (July 2016)

Spreadsheet 3 – Monthly Bed Inventory (Sample)

3. Legume Usage & Intercropping

To add nitrogen to the farming system organically, the HOPE Farmers plant nitrogen-

fixing legumes (e.g. mung bean, long beans) in the beds as part of the crop rotation.

Arachis pintoi (called “mani-mani” in the Philippines) is also used at the farm as living

mulch.

The HOPE farmers also practice intercropping/companion planting for pest control.

For example, heavily scent crops (e.g. green onions, basil) are planted with crops in

the cabbage family (e.g. arugula, kale, petchay). The heavy scent repels the insect

pests and prevents them from attacking the cole crops (A. Loyola, personal

communication, 2016). Marigolds are also included in the crop rotation, as they can

be highly toxic to plant-parasitic nematodes (Wang, Hooks, & Ploeg, 2007; Mikkelson,

2005, p. 93). An added bonus of companion planting is that it helps use up the space

efficiently, while increasing the biodiversity at the farm (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 91).

Picture 16 Arachis pintoi is planted between the beds as living mulch

Picture 17 Green onions are used as a companion plant at the HOPE Farm

Video 1 I learn about companion planting at the farm (Kale & Basil) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Gez8VftQM

4. Composting

i. AEROBIC COMPOST

The HOPE farm uses both aerobic and anaerobic composting systems. For the aerobic

compost system, the HOPE staff stack approximately 1 m3 of crop residue and weeds.

Microorganisms break down the organic matter and produce humus; the heat

process from thermophilic bacteria eliminate both pathogens and weed seeds

(Mikkelson, 2005, p. 98; Trautmann & Olynciw, 1996). The HOPE farmers turn the

compost piles manually with shovels once a week to bring in air, accelerate the

process, and prevent the piles from spoiling and producing foul odors. The farmers

add EME, bokashi, soil, and manure to the compost which help in forming humus and

provide mineral nutrients and beneficial microorganisms (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 99).

They also add water to moisten the compost pile. After two to three months, the

compost is ready to use as fertilizer.

Picture 18 Aerobic compost pile at HOPE Farm

ii. ANAEROBIC COMPOST (BOKASHI)

Anaerobic composting involves fermenting, rather than decaying, organic material

(Mikkelson, 2005, p. 103). At the HOPE farm, they make ‘bokashi’ (Japanese for

“fermented plant matter”) through the anaerobic composting process using EM.

First, copra meal is mixed with seaweed, rice hull charcoal, and an EM solution of

EME, molasses, and water. The mixture is then sealed in a large drum for two weeks.

During this time, the beneficial organisms (EM) begin the anaerobic fermentation

process. The final product is a fertilizer that treats the soil with “beneficial

microorganisms, adds organic matter,

and feeds earthworms, helping them to

breed and populate depleted soils”

(Mikkelson, 2005, p. 200).

During bed preparation, the HOPE

farmers mix the bokashi in the soil (100g

/ sq. meter) and then till the bed with a

broad fork.

The HOPE staff also use bokashi to

ferment their kitchen wastes (1 kg / 20L

kitchen waste). They add bokashi to the

kitchen waste, pack it in air-tight

containers to keep the oxygen out, and

leave it sealed for two weeks to

ferment. The fermented kitchen waste is Picture 19 Bokashi is used in bed preparation for new crop

then mixed and covered with the soil (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 107). Organic wastes with

bokashi results in quicker availability of nutrients for the plants than organic wastes

without bokashi (Boechat, Santos, & Accioly, 2013).

There are several advantages of anaerobic fermentation; it takes less time than

aerobic composting, it does not generate heat or greenhouse gases, and nutrients

are not lost during the process since it is done in a closed system (Mikkelson, 2005, p.

103; Adam & Footer, 2013, p. 2, 8). Nonetheless, from my observation and

experience at the HOPE farm, there are also disadvantages such as the physical

labour required to make bokashi. According to HOPE farmer, Ana, one of the most

physically challenging tasks at the farm is

making bokashi. First, the HOPE farmers

must charcoalize the rice hull before

adding it to the bokashi mixture. Rice

hull charcoal (Carbonized Rice Hull) is a

dry harboring agent for EM (Mikkelson,

2005, p. 134). The HOPE farmers start a

wood fire and then smother it with rice

hulls in a pile. After three days of heating

the rice hull, the HOPE farmers must

cool it off with water to ensure that it does not turn into ash. In the scorching

summer heat, however, it can take hours of watering and turning the rice hull piles

(manually, with a shovel) to cool them down. In addition, since there is no machine

mixer at the farm, all the bokashi ingredients must be mixed manually with a shovel,

Picture 20 Ana collects the rice hull after the charcoalization process

which I can say from personal experience is physically taxing. In the future, it would

be helpful to acquire a machine mixer at the farm. Nonetheless, aerobic compost and

bokashi are key aspects in enhancing the fertility of the soil at the farm, so it is well

worth the hard work.

iii. VERMICULTURE

The HOPE Farmers also practice vermiculture; they feed compost and organic matter

to worms that excrete manure which is a valuable fertilizer, “rich in beneficial

microbial activity, and readily utilized by plants” (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 110). The end

product is called “vermicast”. The HOPE farm has a small shed where they have the

‘worm farm’. The feed for the worms is fermented kitchen garbage, which is covered

with compost as bedding. The worms travel to the surface of the bed and excrete

manure. The HOPE staff harvest the vermicasts every week, and use it in the potting

soil mix.

Picture 21 Vermicasts are an important part of the potting soil mix used at the farm (shown above)

5. Mulching & Minimal tillage

i. MULCHING

Mulching with rice straw keeps moisture in the soil, conserves topsoil, provides

fertilizer, and minimizes weeds (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 128-129). A layer of bokashi is

applied underneath the mulch to balance out the high carbon content of the straw

and provide nitrogen for the bacteria that break down the mulch (Mikkelson,

2005, p. 130).

Picture 22 Straw is used in 'papaya tree rings' as mulch

Video 2 Ana explains the reasoning behind the papaya tree rings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggSiRUd

7SSs)

ii. MINIMAL TILLAGE

Minimal tillage prevents the disruption in microorganism activity compared to

continual plowing (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 143). It also minimizes soil compaction, which

can lead to flooding (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 143). After the initial plowing at the HOPE

farm, minimal tillage is practiced; a broad fork is used to put air into the soil without

turning it.

Picture 23 Plowing the field with a carabao. The fields are plowed only once to make the beds (and then never again). Minimal tillage is practiced and only hand tools are used after the first plowing.

Video 3 Land Preparation with a Carabao (https://youtu.be/X5cNUwTsDdc)

6. Livestock Integration

In addition to vegetables and fruits, the HOPE farmers also integrate livestock into

the farm system; they grow goats, sheep, and ducks. Livestock produces food to

eat, creates a low cost high quality fertilizer source, and is an excellent source of

income (Mikkelson, 2005, p.154-155).

Picture 24

Picture 26 Catching chicks is a feat! They run quickly, and at the same, you have to beware of their mother's pecks

Picture 25 View of the goat house on a sunny morning

Livestock feed at the HOPE farm is made of copra meal, sunflower seeds, rice bran,

oats, barley, molasses, salt, and limestone, fermented with EME (H. Loyola, personal

communication, 2016). The livestock are fed twice a day, in the morning and evening.

The feed “creates natural vitamins and health enhancing components that protect

livestock because EM is active in it” (Mikkelson, 2005, p. 156). HOPE farmers do not

inject the livestock with medications, antibiotics, or vitamins.

The goats and sheep graze in the afternoon. We also feed the goats “cut and carry”

hardy forage crops.

Picture 27 Adel (son of farmers Herdel and Ana) feeds the ducks with fermented grains.

Video 4 Cut and Carry Food for the Goats (https://youtu.be/WfKPWZg6AgY)

The goat house and duck living areas are sprayed with EME once a week to minimize

odors and flies. Goat manure is harvested every day.

Picture 28 Goat manure storage shed (always smells delightful!)

Video 5 Harvesting goat manure while Ana shares some words of wisdom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqXznqmNKQ4)

Another of my projects was to create an Excel spreadsheet for goat identification

records. See Excel Spreadsheet 4.

Personal Experience: I had the privilege of taking care of newborn triplet baby goats

during my internship. Unfortunately, one of them did not survive past two weeks. As

I learned first-hand, it is difficult to successfully raise three kids since the mother only

has two utters. There is competition between the three kids, and the mother usually

rejects the weakest one (J. Van Ryckeghem, personal communication, 2016).

No. Tag Color Birth Date Horns Color Parents Notes1st Kidding

(1)

1st Kidding

(2)

1 blue yes brown, white 6 10

2 blue yes black, white 14

3 blue yes brown, white

16 blue yes white

9 blue 01-Dec-15 yes brown 16 First contender breeder

10 blue 01-Jan-16 yes white, brown 1

11 blue 01-Jan-16 yes brown, white, black 16

12 blue 01-Jan-16 yes brown, white, black 18

13 blue 01-Jan-16 yes white, brown 7

14 blue 01-Jan-16 yes white, black 2

15 blue 01-Feb-16 yes brown, black 24

17 blue 01-Feb-16 yes white, brown 7

5 blue 01-Jan-16 yes black, white 24

6 blue 01-Jan-16 yes white, brown 1

7 blue 01-Jan-16 yes white, brown, black 34

8 blue 01-Apr-16 yes white, black 21

7 green yes brown, white 13 17

16 green yes milky white 9 11

18 green yes brown, white, black 12

21 green yes white 8

24 green yes black, white 5 15

28 green yes brown, white (dalmatian)

34 green yes brown 7

HOPE ORGANIC FARM - GOAT IDENTIFICATION RECORD

Excel Spreadsheet 4 – Goat Identification Record (Sample)

Picture 31 Baby goats are one day old Picture 30 Ten days old

Picture 29 Last few moments of "Berry-berry"'s life. Her brother "Apple" stuck with her until the end and even shed a few tears.

IV. CONCLUSION

With the implementation of sustainable agricultural techniques, the HOPE farm is able to

operate efficiently and effectively. HOPE farmers do not spend money on costly chemical

fertilizers, rather they create their own compost and bokashi using inexpensive local

ingredients and organic waste. Crop rotation, companion planting and mulching helps

with pest/weed control so that they do not have to buy chemical pesticides. Unique

technology such as Effective Microorganisms are also incorporated in the farming system

to enhance soil fertility, improve livestock health, and prevent disease. There are still

areas for improvement, however, such as farm record keeping. I worked with the HOPE

managers and farmers to create Excel spreadsheets and Word documents to enhance the

farm record keeping. Ultimately, the HOPE farmers have been able to successfully grow

high quality produce using the sustainable agriculture techniques described throughout

this journal. By doing so, they are able to provide healthy food to the local community in

an environmentally sustainable manner, as well as support the HOPE community

programs and ministries.

Picture 32

V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank the Hope for the Island leadership team, Derek and Jenn Van

Rckeyghem, for providing me the wonderful opportunity to intern with Hope for the

Island. They welcomed me wholeheartedly into the HOPE family from the very beginning

and provided guidance throughout my internship.

I would also like to thank Roxana Quinde and Brent Skura for being my GRS 497E

supervisors. Thank you so much for providing academic support and guiding me through

my journey as a GRS student. It’s been a blast so far.

The HOPE farm family has taught me all I know about hands-on farming, from planting

tomatoes to scooping goat manure. They have such a big heart for the HOPE organic

farm, and I admire their extensive knowledge and experience in sustainable agriculture.

They were so helpful in showing me the ins and outs of organic farming in the topics.

The Hope for the Island staff helped me integrate into the Siargao community, teaching

me about the Siargaonon language and culture. We made plenty of good memories

together, and they have become my good friends. Throughout my time at HOPE, the staff

continually inspired me through their hard work, kindness, and passion for the HOPE

ministries and programs.

Thank you to the Fletcher family for providing the financial support for my international

travel and internship.

Finally, I thank my parents and my brother. Even when we’re over 10,000km away from

each other, they still manage to show me their constant love, care, and concern. I

appreciate it greatly.

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