After leaving Layog Country Farm some of our Volunteers have written accounts of their time with us on their Blog pages. We would like to showcase these here. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write about their experiences with us and share with the world.
Lewis Decker Postcard from Abroad
“But, whatever the work, at the end of a hard day, you could look down at your cuts and blisters with an immense sense of self-satisfaction”.
Christelle My week at Layog Country Farm
“Lessons learned: Organic farming can be hard work but it can also be so rewarding knowing that in the long term is ensures sustainability and in the short term you get to enjoy the incredibly fresh organic produce.”
Max and Picco Woofing a la Layog Country Farm
“To conclude, we were expecting a lot of farming jobs during this week but had the chance to be in the middle of a familial traditional event. Ok we couldn’t eat with the light on after 6pm because all the insects were coming in the cottage, ok if u leave water around ants will come and invade you, ok your body will be itchy because of the insect bites, yes u don’t have hot shower for a week, BUT the warmness and kindness of the Filipinos made us forget all of it so quickly that we felt entirely integrated.
Time to go South now, islands coming BABY!! We leave this place with an amazing human experience. Thank you.”
A Video from Jason Ang Being a Layog Farm Volunteer, Philippines
“For the purpose of volunteering, I never think of having such different lifetime experience in LCF. Layog Country Farm is certainly more than a conventional organic farm. It was the place where many local and foreign volunteers visited and international friendship connected. If you are passionate to volunteer abroad and enjoy farming works. Layog Country Farm is the best place to spend during the summer break! I would never ever forget the people, food, mountains and many other little moments in LCF!”
Raymund of Whereisraymund.com – does happy have to be profitable?
“So does happy have to be profitable? I say NO it doesn’t Auntie Lina! Your passion is real and is genuinely intended to help improve the lives of others. The world needs more people like you! Keep doing what makes you happy…… so BE HAPPY!”
Jeremy Pascal – A certain idea of traveling
“After just 6 months in active life, I wanted to go on a long journey. I worked 2 years and a half. I asked myself a lot of questions. My idea of travel also evolved. World tripping to visit the most number of countries and see many famous monuments is not my idea of travel. I quitted my job to gain my freedom. Freedom to take my time. A travel should not be dictated by a plane to catch at a precise date. I want to take the time to know the culture of the country I visit, to live with the locals. Volunteering is, for me, a good solution: helping the locals, living with them, discover new things, sharing experience and also getting food and accommodation.”
Pinay’s Ginger – The Joy of Being a Volunteer
“Working together with people from around the world showed me once more how amazing life can be even though you are not getting paid a penny. Who cares, right?”
Thomas Pichon – Agriculture in transition
Contrary to common belief, buying organic food does not necessarily mean participating in building a new model. For example, many organic farmers keep working with methods that are similar to those used by conventional peasants. Certainly they do not use any petrochemical-based fertilizers, but they still focus on intensive farming methods that do not promote biodiversity, rely on heavy mechanization and sell their products to the main traditional retailers. Therefore, the revolution is not about adding a green patch on the current dominant destructive food system, but to create a new one. And we will not solve the problems by waiting for the agro-business giants to change their practices. If we want more sustainable food systems that take care of the planet and all living things, we need to take responsibility and work together in developing these emerging models. The transition has already begun; whether you are a producer or a consumer, your contribution is needed to strengthen it!
Anaelle Garro – Layog Country Farm – Documentation by Photos
Our French volunteer is documenting her stay at Layog Country Farm by presenting the photos she has taken during her three-week stay at the farm.
Ruth Marilyn – Travel to the Philippines and Help Make a Big Difference
The second thing that comes to mind is that most Filipinos are not really thinking things through when they spray toxicity onto their crops. But sadly, who can blame them when the mainstream agricultural “experts” of the country not only praise large-scale agribusinesses using “high-yielding” genetically modified seeds that require chemical inputs to grow, but also shame small farmers who opt for indigenous techniques that are by default organic; they are deemed as backward and unscientific.
Wow! I am a bit surprise that there many of the volunteers who had written a blog article after visiting the farm. I will try to read some of the articles. Very interesting, because they must had been satisfied with their stay. I will seriously consider to come and volunteer too.
Generally, we are very satisfied with our volunteer program too. Both the host and the volunteer I think are having real intercultural exchanges where both parties benefit from such social relation. There are so far very few who complained about the food but we can try to be better as host.
What matters most is that both parties learn from each other on the process.