Fresh Start Organic Farm is a 3 Hectare Certified Organic Regenerative Farm and Organic Fertilizer Manufacturing facility located in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Fresh Start believes that food grown with the use of toxic and harmful chemicals, pesticides, fungicides, growth hormones, antibiotics and other conventional inputs (referring to the other method of farming) are harmful not only to our
farmers and our consumers, but also to the environment. This is why we encourage the use of organic implements and the development of biodiversity in our farms. In order to help preserve the environment, Fresh Start uses organic fertilizers, natural compost, vermi-tea, vermicastings and other beneficial microorganisms to enrich the soil. These materials, which are recycled from the wastes of our farms, make the soil rich in “organic matter”, which means that the soil is rich with living things that formerly were living in soil; this makes the soil healthy, rich and filled with the necessary nutrients. In the process, Fresh Start is building and maintaining healthy, rich and fertile soil where we grow all our crops. Pest control is a need of any agricultural venture. Fresh Start uses plant-based and other natural botanicals and attractants to appeal to beneficial insects. We also incorporate the natural practices of crop rotation, green manuring, companion planting and cover crops. We at Fresh Start firmly believe that natural, sustainable methods can produce healthy, rich and fertile soil. This soil, in turn, will produce nutrient-filled, healthy crops, which leads to healthy animals and healthy people. This is the foremost guiding idea behind all our organic farms. Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People
ORGANIC FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES:
II. ORGANIC FERTILIZATION PROGRAM
a. BASAL
For the farm’s fertilization program, our Organic fertilizer (FPA registered and Certified Organic with NICERT) manufactured by the company is applied at the rate of one kilo per square meter of raised beds/plots as well as Vermicastings (FPA registered and Certified Organic with NICERT) at the rate of one kilo per sq. FOLIAR FERTILIZATION
Naturally fermented solutions such as Indigenous Micro Organism (IMO), Fish Amino Acid (FAA) are applied as supplementary foliar spray applications and vermi tea as regular soil drench. CARE AND MAINTENANCE
There is crop specific cultural management practices observed in the farm but not limited to pruning, de leafing, topping and thinning. PEST CONTROL
• COMPANION PLANTING
Integrated Pest management thru companion planting is practiced in the farm. It is diligently observed where plants with insect repellant properties were planted alternately between plots to repel insects and at the same time as biological attractants to attract good insects that feed on the pests.. The companion plants used are;
Marigold, Lemon Grass
Sunflower Herbs such as Basil, Mint, Tarragon, Oregano, Chives, Stevia, Dill, Lemon balm, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley
• NATURAL ATTRACTANTS
Natural insect attractants is also made with a concoction of molasses and vinegar is pour inside the plastic bottle of used mineral water container and is hanged in the trellis. This is to control sucking insects. There is a regular monitoring of the presence of insects larvae and possible damage for immediate preventive measures. W**D MANAGEMENT
• Mulching
Mulching is one of the methods used in the farm.
• Manual Weeding
Manual w**ding thru ring method on annual crops and blanket w**ding on short maturing crops are the most common method used. SPRAYING OF NATURAL FARMING CONCOTIONS
• Spraying of Natural farming concotions like OHN, Vermi-tea, FFJ, FPJ
d. WATER IRRIGATION
• The farm uses its own windmill, pump set and shallow pump for pumping water into the tank
• Drip irrigation is also utilized in the farm with every main plot with its own irrigation system
e. COVERING / RAINSHELTERS
• We use small modular movable tunnel type greenhouse to cover the crops during rainy season
• We also use bamboo rainshelters
IV. OTHER PRACTICES:
a. COVER CROPPING
Forage grasses and leguminous crops were planted to prevent soil erosion due to wind during dry season and water during wet season. Besides, it provides green manure rehabilitates soil fertility and encourages farm bio-diversity. Crop residues of cover crops also served as mulch in the garden to prevent rapid water evaporation thereby conserving soil moisture, suppress w**d growth and will eventually converted into nutrient-rich compost. CROP ROTATION
Crop rotation is also practiced in the farm Tomatoes, Monggo, Lettuce, Squash, Herbs
V. POSTHARVEST
1. Basic steps
a. Pre-cooling using the hydro cooling method
b. Washing and cutting bruises
c. Air spin-drying
d. Packing
e. Storing/ Delivering
ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
Everything began with the organic fertilizer – now known as Fresh Start Organic Blend Fertilizer® and Vermicastings®. The organic blend fertilizer, created using large-scale bokashi composting, is created exclusively with the use of organic materials and agricultural byproducts in adherence with the organic standards of NICERT. Furthermore it is registered with the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA). Fresh Start Organic Blend is rich in humus, beneficial microorganisms, fungi and plant nutrients. These help improve the efficiency of water and nutrient use in soils. They also promote better plant growth and increase crop yield.
