Be A Part of Stairway Foundation’s Organic Farm in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, The Philippines

Philippines

6 reviews • Updated 2 years ago

The Stairway organic farm is a land area located in a beautiful mountain setting around 450 meters above sea level in the village of Baclayan, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, in the Philippines. The farm aims to inspire community members in sustainable and effective methods of agriculture. Stairway has been working in the Baclayan community for more than a decade, and the farm plays a significant role in terms of food production as well as a venue for training and inspiration for especially the children and youth in the community. The day in the Stairway farm starts at 7 AM with a meeting at the workshop with all the farmers to delegate responsibilities and agree on the day's activities. The farmers will discuss how best can the volunteers support them that day and the activities range from planting, harvesting, preparing the compost, weeding, irrigating, and taking care of the seedlings at the nursery, among others. Usually, the activities are decided based on the weather as well, for instance, if it is raining the farmers usually work at the compost facility or at the greenhouses and nursery. There are multiple gardens on the farm and each of them is at different stages of planting, so the activities vary substantially every week. The most common tasks include preparing new plots as the farm is still expanding. This constitutes marking the new beds, preparing the soil, weeding, irrigating, and then preparing the seeds and seedlings to plant. Other activities include collecting bamboo in the mountain, cleaning and organizing the workshop and common areas, and building bamboo structures to protect the new plantings from the sun. The volunteers can also assist the farmers in calculating the anticipated weight of the next harvest. Transplanting of seedlings is usually done at 3 PM to avoid exposing the seedlings to the sun. There are two 15-minute breaks throughout the day at 10 AM and 3 PM when the volunteers are given snacks, and the lunch break is from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. The volunteers usually take turns with the farmers to pick up the food at 11:20 at the feeding center in Baclayan. Harvest day takes place on Mondays when all the produce is collected, washed, weighed, recorded in the inventory, and packed to be transported to the feeding center and Stairway. Volunteering at our organic farm will give you an opportunity to learn about sustainable organic farming in practice with the planting, maintenance, and harvesting of various food sources. Simultaneously, you will be contributing to the development of the indigenous community of the Baclayan village through nurturing of the local children. The Stairway organic farm living facilities were renovated in 2022, and it offers accommodation through lodging in two dormitories of up to two people in each. Food for making breakfast and dinner will be provided while lunch is served at the Baclayan Mangyan School during the weekdays. The fully operational kitchen is available in the living quarters for when the volunteer wishes to cook. The facilities also offer a large common area in connection with the kitchen which can be used by volunteers on demand. Motivated volunteers may also offer their free time and assist in running the Stairway’s Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Learning and Resource Center at the Baclayan farmhouse. The center aims to teach children and interested adults the use of computers and critical thinking to combat misinformation, fake news, and promote cyber safety. During your stay at our organic farm, you can enjoy some of the cultural activities in Baclayan, the nearby cities of Puerto Galera, or White Beach. You can explore the beautiful mountainous nature by hiking to nearby waterfalls, and discover the unique marine life, local coral reefs, and sea turtles by diving with Stairway EACY Dive School. In the future, Stairway Organic farm envisions a community with additional livelihood based on sustainable and organic methods of farming. By agreeing to volunteer at the Stairway organic farm you are required to read, agree, with Stairway’s Child Protection and the Handbook for Volunteers issued by Stairway Foundation Inc.

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Fruit or nut farming

Sheep or goat farming

Forestry

Seed saving or production

Vegetable or fruit preservation

Traditional crafts

Green Building

Renewable energy production

Food justice / sovereignty

Methods or systems

Holistic management

Permaculture

Regenerative agriculture

Host type

Nonprofit / Community

Certified organic

5 Hectares | 12.4 Acres

Accommodation

3 WWOOFers

Bedroom

Children not accepted

Pets accepted

Meals

Vegetarian

Length of stay

Over a month

Stairway

Member since 2023

Languages spoken: English Response rate: 80% Response time: typically within 2 days

November 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Philippines

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines

Reviews

Tammi

Singapore • October 2024

I'm incredibly grateful for this life-chaging opportunity to work with Monica, Lars and the rest of the Stairway family. The Baclayan farm project is but one of the many meaningful initiatives the team has spearheaded as a means of engaging and enriching the local community, with the larger vision of building a better world for the vulnerable children of the Philippines. The nature of their work is incredibly diverse and I highly recommend anyone with diverse skillsets and talents, even beyond farming, to reach out and explore how you can contribute. If you're looking to devote your time to a meaningful cause, working with beautiful people in a beautiful environment, Stairway is the right place for you.

Julius

United States • May 2024

I loved my stay here. Being surrounded by stunning landscapes was a blessing for my mental health. Everyone on the farm is super friendly. The farmers might seem shy at first, but they warm up quickly. Farmwork can be tiring. Be ready for the physical labor involved in both dry & wet conditions. The camphouse is great. Your room has its own bathroom, but it gets pretty damp, so it can get musty. Open windows while indoors & clean regularly. Expect to see lots of big critters like insects, spiders, geckos, rodents, & the occasional toad. Just remember, they’re usually harmless & more scared of you. The computer lab & kitchen are above your room. The Wi-Fi is strong & reliable. The kitchen is big & communal unless items are marked as personal. Dinners are never provided, so volunteers & residents take turns cooking. Supplies come once a week, & you can harvest from the farm, which I loved. The nearby village is very friendly. You can join community development & education projects in the village, which is a nice break from farm work. Just coordinate with the community development coordinator & farm manager. For leisure, I did weekly hikes up & down the mountain. Both directions are beautiful, but the way up is a hard climb. I recommend going to town early because motorcycles that take you back up stop running after 6pm. My time here was unforgettable. Communication is key. If you’re interested in something or have ideas for special projects, speak up.

Cameron

Netherlands • April 2024

Words cannot describe how incredible our experience was at the Stairway Foundation. We initially planned 2 months but loved it so much that we stayed an extra month. The farm is a magical place with stunning views of the sea; turquoise bays and islands. It’s altitude makes it cooler than by the coast; warm and waterproof clothing is a must, even in dry season! During our stays there, we sampled farm-grown fruits, hung out with the dogs & cats, cooked and ate in the outdoor kitchen, and the staff are warm, friendly, and welcoming. You can walk down to Puerto Galera where there are shops, restaurants and beaches, and although hiking back up is sweatier, it's doable! The two parts of the Foundation we worked with are the farm and the operational side near White Beach, ~20min apart. Your volunteer work may split over these two locations depending on your expertise, desires, and assigned work. Our work focused on helping the NGO with their strategy and specific programs, and the farm. There is a harvesting routine that volunteers help the daily workers with, plus planting, weeding and other odd jobs. They are open to new ideas depending on volunteers' expertise, exemplified by the recently established coffee plantation. We also set up a meliponary (native bee farm) on the farm, which was a fun and creative project throwing us into deep bee research. Regardless of what you do, we are sure you are going to have the most incredible experience. We are already planning our return!

Chan

Malaysia • January 2024

This is a late but meaningful review. I've been fortunate to be a part of this amazing community for five months (June to Oct 2023). My time here has been both simple and peaceful, allowing me to learn a lot about life. The views, the environment, the friendly farmers, and the warm-hearted people in the community have made every day special and unforgettable. The accommodation is comfortable, and the meals have been not only delicious but also a gateway for me to learn and cook some Philippine dishes. In addition, I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to Stairway, an NGO primarily focused on children but also dedicated to the local community. I worked five days per week and spent my weekends with the boys from their family home program. Stairway also graciously included me in various events, such as the Sea Adventure School Trip, Training from Agricultural Training Institute, Staff Day activity, Sports Day organized by Samakaba (an organization formed by local children), Youth Agri Camp 2023, and Halloween Night. I am particularly grateful to Stairway, as they not only provided me with enriching experiences but also supported my personal growth. Thanks to them, I achieved certification as an open-water scuba diver, adding an exciting skill. This volunteering journey has been a truly transformative and rewarding experience for me. Any of you are welcome to contact me to ask for more details I have experienced in this wonderful journey.

Renata

Mexico • July 2023

This was an absolutely wonderful experience that I will always remember. Stairway Foundation is an admirable and amazing organization that has done incredible work for many communities, and the work that they have done in Baclayan is really impressive. As a WWOOF volunteer, I had the pleasure of working with the farmers who patiently taught me every day the farm chores and tasks. The work included weeding, planting, harvesting, taking care of the seedlings, cutting bamboo, making bamboo structures, bed preparation, soil conservation, fertilizing, and composting, among others. The farm is a magical place, it has a breathtaking view that definitely made every day so special. The farmers were welcoming and accommodating, and the volunteer coordinator gave me an excellent orientation and was always available to help. I stayed at the farm for 2 months, and the room was in great condition, the installations were great including the kitchen and common areas. Cooking dinner is part of the daily chores as well and a great time to socialize with other Stairway employees and volunteers. One of the highlights of the trip was experiencing the School Sea Adventure that Stairway organizes with other local schools to visit some beaches and snorkel in some of the coral reefs. Baclayan is a great community, the feed center and school located next to the farm are a great way to also get involved if you wish to contribute and help with other tasks. I definitely recommend volunteering here!

Clara

France • May 2023

We volunteered at the Stairway Organic Farm for 2 months, and it ended up being the best Wwoofing experience we ever had. The NGO is amazing, and being a part of it is a wonderful chance. The work at the farm is very diverse, we learned a lot, and we really enjoyed helping the farmers out. There is a lot of work to do, sometimes we work a little more hours than we usually do in other wwoofings, but everyone is very understanding and flexible, so there is absolutely no pressure. Everyone at the farm is super nice and welcoming. We got along with all of the kuyas so great. We miss everyone already. And even the location of the farm is great, because it is up in the montain where the weather is a bit cooler, and we work in a beautiful environment with an amazing view!! We felt like home. The food is good, and there is a kitchen very nice to cook your own breakfast and meals. The room is comfortable and the bathroom is nice too. Anyhow, we really loved being there. We hope to cross your path again some day, and maybe volunteer again when life offers us some time. We wish you the best of luck and a very good continuation! Thank you again for everything.