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.
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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
