The origin of the Loquat Fruit Trees at LCF

Loquat fruits at Layog County Farm. Fruits growing in clusters are oval,rounded or pear-shaped. 1-2 inches Long with a smooth or downy, yellow or orange, sometimes red-blushed skin. The succulent tangy flesh is white, yellow or orange and sweet to subacid or acid, depending on the cultivar.(loquat) Loquat is already a fruit plant which has been …

There is Food in Flowers

We are adhering as close as possible to the principles of the indigenous farming systems in the way we run our farm but with slight difference. Flowers and other ornamental plants do not have much place in the indigenous way of farming because for indigenous peoples,  you farm with the intention of producing food for …

A Reason to Rejoice

“The Department of Tourism has accredited the farm as a tourist destination” she said. “That makes the Layog Country Farm, the first ecology oriented farm to be accredited as a tourist destination in the Cordilleras” she went on.  The excitement was just bubbling in her voice. That was my sister, Lina in Norway, on the …

Lola Julia’s Bamboo Garden – Developments

There are now new developments with regard to the project about my mother’s bamboo garden (Lola Julia’s Bamboo Garden) which was started last month. The plan is to develop a little park at the entrance to welcome the visitors to the bamboo garden. A native hut is presently being constructed by Joseph, our farm assistant. …

Seedless Rattan Fruit (Littuko) at Layog Country Farm

As shown in the photo above, Layog Country Farm had its first harvest last year (2014) of rattan fruits or “littuko” as it is locally known in Mt. Province. The plant came to the farm as a gift from my deceased nephew Vicente Yaeng in 2010. Rattan belongs to the palm family and is native to …

My Mom’s Bamboo Garden

“Do not think about me. Go do what you have to do. I would be happier to see your plans moving on without hitch than be the reason it is going to be stalled.” My Mom told me as she insisted that I attend my meeting with the Philippine Bamboo Foundation which I was contemplating …

From the Farm to the People

All our produce, basically fruits and vegetables, are delivered directly to consumers in communities around the farm. There are no middlemen involved. We have deliberately brought prices to a level within the reach of families with limited food budget. We did not want people to be deprived of their right to healthy food simply because they …

Starting a Coffee Plantation

We have just finished planting around 2,000 Arabica coffee trees which we purchased last June. Since we all do things by ourselves privately then we take also the responsibility of seeking advice from friends having experience in coffee farming. We are new in this field so we are eager to send our farm assistants to …

Dad’s Dream Didn’t Die

People often ask how the Layog Country Farm evolved from its early start into how it is today. “We want to know its history ,” they would say and that baffles me. No, it is not their interest in knowing more about the farm that confuses me but what it is really they want to …