Yesterday, I conducted an urban gardening workshop to exchange students of the AIESEC Ateneo de Manila University's Project REAP.
I talked about how I became a farmer in 2012 and why I got interested in organic agriculture. Then I shared a few how-tos on setting up their own raised beds at home. For students with no background in agriculture (except for one), our discussion was pretty insightful and a lot of good questions were thrown around. Questions on crop rotation, nutrient cycling (chopping up old crops and throwing 'em back to the soil), and composting were asked and discussed. My ecology background came in handy. But I must admit, I am more comfortable talking about farming (using permaculture design principles) in rural settings rather than urban. I just feel safer when there's more good soil to work on.
There are a lot of urban gardeners out there who are more than willing to share their skills. Real city folk who are passionate about planting in containers. For more info, you can join this awesome Facebook group called Home Farmers Club.
Now I'm starting wonder why I keep getting invited to talk about urban gardening when I'm not an urban gardener at all, haha! I live in the province, and my farm is as rural as it can be...(see photo below).
But whenever I'm asked to talk to kids about farming (urban or rural), there's this strong desire to say "yes" and "what the heck, it's farming anyway!" Today, the exchange students are going to the Joy of Urban Farming in QC Circle. I hope they get seeds and seedlings for their community projects.
Special thanks to Denise Celdran of Edgy Veggy for recommending me to these students and to Andrea for assisting me. Also to my girlfriend, Caty, for giving me moral support; and my super parents, Mommy and Pop, for taking me to Ateneo and treating me to a huge breakfast at Pancake House!
#NuWaveFarmers
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