It is but common to us that in every endeavor we aspire for, we wanted to have huge, big and or an enormous result or impact. Thus, it is as well given, that only a few thrived because most of them failed.

When the Knowledge Products Management Division of the Agricultural Training Institute hosted the 3rd Organic Agriculture Bloggers’ Event last September 5-8, 2013 at Bacolod City, I am among of the privileged few from the institute that was given the opportunity to be with in this activity (though, I was supposedly one of the two (2) ATI Bloggers chosen to attend the first event at Costales Nature Farm in Laguna last 2012, but due to pressing schedule, I was not able to attend). Anyhow, I am so glad, that still, they are considering my presence.

Our three-day experience at Negros Occidental provided me with a great pride that Filipinos are not that behind in terms of organic agriculture initiatives. The photos and articles that flooded in the world-wide-web significantly came from abroad. But with our tie-up with private bloggers from Metropolitan Manila now, our local endeavor will eventually compete with what was once known in the virtual world through their support of course.

The lecture-input and an actual field tour to the organic farms in Negros Occidental gave me with a gleam of hope because in organic agriculture, there is no exact measure as to the land and or capital (including money and human) when we go into this undertaking.

A seven (7) pieces recycled bottles, tires or pots perhaps can do. The beauty of organic agriculture is that we had the opportunity to blend our farming with arts. How skilful we are in our farm planning, this will complement with the result. The feeling of encouragement by actually experiencing both the aesthetics and yield respectively are just an added value of our effort.

The organic farms and practitioners that we have visited in Negros Occidental shared a common vision that is to start small and they also shared an array of experiences that provided a life’s lesson to ponder.

At May’s Organic Garden and Eco-Agri (Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc.) situated at Sitio Gining, Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental provided us a glimpse of hope that after doom, there is yet another chance to rebuild what has been lost, and this time, it will be better, bolder and stronger.

At Ramon Peñalosa’s Farm at No. 7 Quirino Street, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, where size, resources and location doesn’t matter but diversity is. Our income is dependent upon our vision, thus, poverty is not caused by other factors instead it is anchored by ignorance. With that, if we simply relied with just plain information, it’s not enough. Instead, reform is necessary in order to transform our total being. This way, no farmer will go hungry in his/her own land.

At Fresh Starts in Hacienda Maquina, Barangay Rizal, Silay City, Negros Occidental where sure-buy is the key. If farmers are given the assurance that their excess organic produce had already a sure-market waiting, the more that they are encouraged to do so. Accordingly, the shop provided hope among organic agriculture practitioner because of its fair trade.

At Rapha Valley at Brgy. Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, where they adhered Hippocrates’s principle that our food is our medicine. Human total development is the rallying call in this farm because going into organic cannot be done overnight for this entails a matter of conditioning the minds.

At Renato Catiempo’s farm at Bago City, Negros Occidental, where his organic farming initiative is indeed a manifestation of a farmer that starts small, thus through the help of his father and brother, he was able to reap the Regional Gawad Saka Award in 2013 as Outstanding Organic Farmer. His simple beginning, radiated to his neighboring farmers whereby making him a good example to them.

As Mahatma Gandhi had put it: “Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.”

That way, think big, act small.