EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of Dennis Tuskowski’s story about his D’ Hydroponic Farm in Doña Helene, Basilisa, Dinagat Island. Dennis is an American citizen who married a Filipina who comes from the said island province. Their farm is the first-ever hydroponic farm in Caraga region at the same time an ATI-certified Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA). Dennis narrates the hardships they travailed before they finally realized their dream).

Challenges
“When I first started to get interested in Hydroponic Farming I wrote a request to every government department. From the municipality all the way up to regional and national level. Anyone I could think of for help. I was not looking for financial aid or anything, I was just looking for any training programs, information, or hydroponic farms in the Caraga Region that I could tour or visit. For over 2 years no one was interested or would even answer our request. Until one day we got a call from Gale at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Dinagat Island who said they were arranging a seminar on hydroponics to be held here on our farm. We were all excited. But for unseen circumstances it kept getting delayed. So that's when I decided to design and build my own NFT system. We got it up and running before the seminar. The person that did the seminar from Central Luzon University looked it over and said it was near perfect. That made me feel good. Other than that sorry to say we really didn't learn anything new so we were on our own again and still are. I will always accept a challenge no matter how difficult it is.”

‘Making Dreams Come True’
“As of now after almost 4 years other government departments in the Caraga Region are finally getting interested and asking a lot of questions. All these would not have been possible if it weren't for DOST in Dinagat Island and the support of ATI Caraga Region. My dream is to get certified to be a Hydroponic Trainer, a Hydroponic School, and a Demo Farm, but at this time there are no Hydroponic Schools to get certified. I want to be the First Hydroponic School in all of the Philippines but like I said so far no one can help me do that. I will not give up I will make this Happen whatever it takes. Wouldn't it be great to be The First Hydroponic School in Caraga, in Dinagat Island and the First in all of the Philippines. We are excited to start training the small poor farmers on how to build a system out of recycled material, making their own nutrients, how to plant their seedlings, and above all enjoy the fruits of their harvest. In the future the challenges we face here are tough, our goals are high, our dreams are enormous and the love we have for the people and the area, no words can describe. Never give up on your dreams and remember only you can make your dreams come true. So Set a Goal and GO FOR IT. God Bless.”
Dennis Tuskowski
D’ Hydroponic Farm
Owner/LSA cooperator

For inquiries, you may visit their Facebook page: D’ Hydroponic Farm Learning Site.