So, you bought a small farm?

Lately, I had conversations with several friends who bought small farm lots in Tanay, Siniloan, and Naic who still did not know what to do with these farms except build a rest house.

Curious, I opened the free version of Gemini (formerly Bard) and asked: “I am a retired government employee. I own a hectare of land that used to be planted to rice. The lot is near a main road. There are adjoining lots that can, with an agreement with the owners, be organized into a farming cooperative. What are the options for contributing to people-planet-profit available to me?

Here’s what Gemini has to say:

“That’s fantastic! Here are some options to consider, taking advantage of your location and potential cooperative efforts:

“People—(1) Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Partner with local communities to offer weekly subscriptions of fresh, seasonal produce grown on your land. This provides nutritious food directly to consumers and fosters connection between farmers and communities; (2) Educational programs: Organize workshops and farm tours to educate people about sustainable agriculture practices and healthy food choices; (3) Agrotourism: Offer farm visits, cooking classes, or farm-stay experiences to generate income and connect people with the source of their food.

“Planet—(1) Regenerative agriculture: Implement practices that improve soil health and biodiversity, such as cover cropping, composting, and minimal tillage. This helps sequester carbon, conserve water, and create a healthier ecosystem; (2) Integrate diverse crops: Grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes alongside other plants like nitrogen-fixing trees to create a more resilient and resource-efficient system; (3) Reduce waste and pollution: Implement composting, rainwater harvesting, and natural pest control methods to minimize environmental impact.

“Profit—(1) Direct sales: Sell your produce directly to consumers through farmers’ markets, farm stands, or online platforms; (2) Value-added products: Process your harvest into jams, pickles, or other products to increase profit margins and extend shelf life; (3) Collaborate with restaurants or chefs: Partner with local businesses for consistent sales and to showcase the quality of your produce; (4) Form a cooperative: Joining forces with neighboring farmers can provide economies of scale, shared resources, and better market access.

My follow-up prompt goes: “This Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a good idea! Is there such a farm within or adjacent to Metro Manila I can visit? Please give references.”

Gemini replies: “That’s wonderful to hear! Here are a few options:

“1. Urban Greens Hydroponics Farm (Cainta, Rizal). This farm uses hydroponic technology to grow a variety of leafy greens, herbs, and microgreens indoors. They offer CSA memberships with weekly deliveries of fresh produce directly to your doorstep; +63 917 817 8282.

“2. Good Food Community (multiple locations). This organization partners with smallholder farmers in various provinces to deliver fresh, organic produce to subscribers in Metro Manila through a CSA model. They offer different box sizes and delivery options to cater to individual needs. Visit goodfoodcommunity.com; +63 2 887 8899.

“3. The Farm at San Benito (San Benito, Laguna). This farm is located within a wellness resort and offers a CSA program that provides subscribers with a mix of seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They also offer farm tours and educational workshops. Visit thefarm.com.ph; +63 49 545 9500.

“4. Real Food Share (multiple locations). This organization operates several urban farms in Metro Manila and offers CSA memberships with weekly deliveries of fresh, seasonal produce grown using sustainable practices. They also have a strong focus on community engagement and education; +63 2 807 9020.

“5. The Green Thumb Project (multiple locations). This organization offers vertical farming kits and workshops to help individuals and communities grow their food in urban spaces. They also operate a CSA program in partnership with local farmers; +63 917 828 6288.

For researchers, I continued the conversation with these prompts, each one giving me a wealth of leads, to be checked, of course. Try them!

(1) “I am interested in doing a study to survey the smart farming initiatives in the Philippines undertaken by the government, private sector, and communities (people’s organizations, cooperatives, NGOs). Please give me a research design, focus group discussion questions, and tips for a successful study. Please provide references. (2) I will be doing snowball sampling for smart farming initiators in the government, private sector, and communities in the Philippines. Please give me an initial list of possible key informant interviewees and survey respondents. Please give me references.”

I am so enthused! I don’t own a hectare of farmland so I’ll share with my friends.

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