BICOL - The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) conducted its 9th Bloggers’ Event last September 18-20, showcasing organic agriculture practices and products in this region and promoting them with the help of local travel and lifestyle bloggers.

Seven bloggers were invited to tour around organic farms in Camarines Sur and Albay. These farms are established Learning Sites of ATI Regional Training Center (RTC) V and each has its own unique products and services.

The visited farms include Sonrisa Farm in Magarao, Camarines Sur; Dacara’s Farm and Garden in Pili, Camarines Sur; KOPPA Farm in Ligao City, Albay; and Longabela’s Kalikasan Farm in Daraga, Albay.

During the tour, farm owners and farm supervisors briefly discussed their farms’ origins, farming innovations, and other best practices or the products themselves. They also answered questions from the bloggers and shared some advices if they are to venture into the same business.

“What’s important in farming is that you love what you are doing. If you want to go organic, you have to learn the process of organic farming,” said Cherry Lo, owner of Sonrisa Farm.

“There’s always something new to be learnt in every bloggers’ event. There’s always a nugget of wisdom from every farm we go to,” said blogger Ruth Floresca of mommywrites.blogspot.com.

This 9th edition of the bloggers’ event was spearheaded by the ATI Information Services Division and RTC V in relation to the Institute’s effort to promote organic agriculture in the country. The ATI believes that featuring organic farms and its practices in blog and social media sites will help increase the awareness of consumers and other enthusiasts on the subject.