Our Farmers’ Haven: Building A Legacy Of Health Through Organic Farming

Many times when we were children, eating veggies was a daily obstacle. We had to finish them before we could have candy or we have to eat every single one before we can get away from the table and play. No matter what the trade-off was, there was a prize in the end because as kids, we didn’t really care what was healthy or not. We just liked what tasted good and we didn’t exactly like things that tasted like grass.

Our parents weren’t wrong about the health benefits of veggies though but the vegetables we’re eating today and the conditions they’re produced in still have room for improvement. That’s the mission of Our Farmers’ Haven, a group of Benguet farmers working under the organic farming program of the Catholic Diocese of Baguio, hopes to accomplish. Before we get to know them though, it’s important we understand what organic farming is.

Organic vs Conventional Food

Organic produce isn’t a new concept. Generally, the public simply knows it as a healthier and more expensive alternative to normal produce. Why?

Organic food is grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Instead, farmers use natural fertilizers like animal manure.

The term applies not only to vegetables but also to naturally grown grains and even animal products. In terms of dairy, meat, and eggs, organic means that the animals have been fed organic food and have not been given any growth hormones or antibiotics.

The opposite of that is our conventional food. These are what we still often find and buy in markets and groceries. And as you might’ve guessed, the reason why people claim organic is better is that conventional produce might still have traces of pesticide on them even after being washed.

Is Organic Food Really Better?

According to a 2009 NCBI study, eating chemical-free produce far outweighs the risk of eating produce that still has trace amounts of pesticides and such. Several other studies have also claimed that pesticide exposure has a strong correlation to certain diseases like diabetes, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Organically grown crops also contain higher levels of antioxidants and nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamin C. It’s the same with organic dairy and meat which contain higher amounts of vitamin E, iron, and some carotenoids.

All this doesn’t mean though that we should stop eating our conventional fruits and veggies. They still have the same nutrients as organic fruits and veggies. They just have the tiniest bit of risk.

Why Is Organic Food More Expensive?

One of the biggest obstacles organic food faces is that it’s more expensive than conventional food. People still see it as a luxury that’s why people go for conventional produce instead.

One of the reasons why organic food is more expensive despite not using chemicals is because the overall production process is more expensive. More labor is needed in maintaining organic farms because organic agricultural practices are more complicated. Also, unlike conventional farms that can continue producing the same crop most of the year, organic farms need to take care of and protect their croplands by practices like crop rotation.

The demand for organic food is also still limited. If the demand grows, however, the costs can also be reduced.

Our Famers’ Haven: Promoting A Healthy Lifestyle With Sustainable Organic Farming

Over the years, the demand for organic produce has continued to grow steadily. Because of that, there has been a push for vegetable-producing provinces like Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao to increase their organic production. The success of that will not only further cement Benguet’s title as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” but also bring to it a new title the “Organic Vegetable Capital of the Country.”

Our Farmers’ Haven is joining the pioneers who have sprouted all over the region with a mission to produce safe food and train people to grow them while caring for the environment. With less and less dependence on chemical supplements, organic farming can help decrease the amount of toxic agricultural byproducts that go into our soil and rivers. Over time, these can buildup and become hazardous not only to the environment but also to our health.

One of Our Farmers’ Haven’s priorities, as well, is to give a quality life to the farmers in the region where they earn a sufficient and reasonable return out of their work. This includes providing community organizing, demo farms, outlet stores, and learning activities to them. Through this program, Our Farmers’ Haven also hopes to build a strong, holistic, and enduring relationship between the farmers, the natural environment, and the consumers. Because while organic farming can be left up to the farmers, it takes the community to promote and push for a healthier lifestyle where health, economy, and environment can all flourish.

You can find Our Farmers’ Haven’s freshest produces here on their website or you can connect with them on their FB page Our Farmers’ Haven Federation Inc.