After visiting two organic farms in Leyte and Samar provinces, our group drove another 2-3 hours going to the east coast of Biliran Island particularly in Baranggay Uson, Caibiran where Canaan Hill Farms and Honey Garden is located. Our 3rd and last stop for the 8th Blogger’s Event for Organic Agriculture.
On our way there, we get to pass on the Biliran Bridge, which was built during Former President Marcos’ time. The Biliran Bridge is like a shorter version of the San Juanico Bridge which connects Leyte and Biliran Island. The view there is really breathtaking and relaxing. You have to see it for yourself.
Reminder. Please be very cautious when taking your photo on the Biliran Bridge. Eventhough vehicles seldom pass during the time we were there, I have other people to watch if a vehicle is coming from behind.
Moving on. Our group arrived at Canaan Hill Farm and Honey Garden later that afternoon. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate(it was gloomy and raining) making our supposed to be afternoon farm tour cancelled and was rescheduled the next day.
Instead of touring the farm, Mr. Jeffrey Espinazo, one of the 9 siblings of the Espinazo family gave our group a brief introduction about the farm and its practices. Opened in year 2013, Canaan Hill Farm and Honey Garden is also one of the learning sites of Agricultural Training Institute(ATI) in Region 8 Eastern Visayas and an accredited agri-tourism site by the Department of Tourism.
Ooooh! I love our welcome snacks. The one I’m holding in the photo is called “Koping” for Waraywaray, or”Paking” or “Kabkab” for Bisaya which is made from organic Cassava Roots.
Going back. Canaan Hill Farms and Honey Garden is a 6-hectare uphill organic farm, owned by husband and wife Eduardo and Priscilla Espinazo. The couple derived the farm’s name from the bible, a place that God has promised to His people or the “promised land”.
WOW! What a breathtaking scenery. Overlooking of Carigara Bay. If the weather is good and not cloudy, the view of the sunrise is a must-see in Canaan Hill Farms. This place is really nice for those who want to appreciate nature and relax from the stressful ambiance in the metro.
The farm is personally managed by Espinazo couple and their nine children(Espinazo couple and other siblings not in the photo above) and is practicing diversified NATURAL FARMING methods with the use of vermiculture, natural fertilizers , contour farming etc..
Believe it or not, the Espinazo family do not have any background in farming yet they managed to build the whole farm little by little, part by part, with their own efforts(with the help of ATI as well) and has planted different fruit-bearing trees like Mango, Rambutan, Banana, Coconut, Jackfruit, etc., vegetables(There are more than 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables inside the farm), and ornamental plants that made the place look like an uphill oasis.
The farm also raises chickens, goats and sheeps. As part of the farm’s organic practices and as an advocate of natural farming technology, they use sheep manure and sheep urine as fertilizers(processed for vermiculture)to nourish the soil of their crops.
Canaan Hill Farms produce products as well such as Peanut butter, Turmeric powder, A-Yul Ginger tea powder, Lemon Honey, Four Seasons Juice, Organic egg just to name a few that you can buy for pasalubong or even for your own consumption.
Too bad we weren’t able to tour around the farm because we have to leave early since it’s a Sunday and Sundays are very important to the owners as they give and devote their Sundays serving God. But thankfully, we managed to take some photos on our way down to the main gate.
Canaan Hill Farms is very conservative and is strictly implementing the following farm rules. As a visitor, make sure that you follow them:
Visit Canaan Hill Farms & Honey Garden and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. The farm is open from 9A.M. to 5PM every Monday to Saturday and closed during Sundays. Entrance Fee is PHP50
For more information and inquiries about Canaan Hill Farms & Honey Garden, you may visit their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/pg/canaanhillfarms
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For more information about Organic farming, you may visit:
Agricultural Training Institute | Home of e-Extension in the Philippines
Elliptical Road, Diliman Quezon City 1100
Philippines Trunkline: (63-2) 9298541 to 49 1800-10-982AGRI (or 1800-10-9822474) -for provincial toll-free calls 02-982-AGRI (or 982-2474) – for Metro Manila
Fax no. (63-2) 9209792
Email: ati_director@ati.da.gov.ph
Website: ati.da.gov.ph
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ATIinteractive
Department of Agriculture www.da.gov.ph
