Steps to Positive Change – “Farmer by Farmer, an Organic Transition”

For decades, chemical farming has been the conventional method of raising crops in the Philippines.  Although many farmers still stick with chemical input procedures, there has been a recent shift to organic farming in local communities.  In their article, “Farmer by Farmer, an Organic Transition” John Cavanagh and Robin Broad write about the work of Don Bosco Foundation, a non-profit that teaches farmers about “biodynamic farming.”  Click here for the full story

The two married couples featured in the article describe how Don Bosco has helped them transition to sustainable agriculture.  Tired of accruing debt from using traditional farming methods, they decided to try what they learned from the seminars: farming with zero chemical input.  It worked!  Costs of farming dropped drastically, while the harvest yielded an abundant crop.

After a decade of adopting the new methods, both families are virtually free from debt.  One couple mentions how the switch allowed them to add fruits and vegetables to their rice crop.  The other says that they have been able to make enough money for their children to finish their schooling – who are now looking into going into the farming business themselves.

These success stories illustrate how the significance of biodynamic farming is not only based on monetary gains.  As one farmer puts it, “It’s not simply farming.  It’s healing the earth.”