Costales Nature Farms: Where Organic Farming and Tourism Meet

It’s always fun touring around different organic farms on different locations. Every farm is different and has its own story to tell. What they only have in common is the comfort and relaxing ambiance that can de-stress a tired soul. And speaking of de-stressing, this led us to our last destination for the 7th Bloggers’ event about Organic Agriculture… Costales Nature Farms.

Costales Nature Farms started in 2005, when the Costales family acquired a 1000sqm lot in Brgy. Gagalot, Majayjay, Laguna and developed it as a leisure farm to grow safe and healthy organic vegetables(the pinakbet vegetables) for their family’s consumption.

In 2009, the once 1000sqm organic family farm grew bigger and expanded to a 6-hectare sustainable, commercial and certified integrated organic farm supplying different organic vegetables to known retaurants in the metro.

Costales Nature Farms has gained its good reputation when it comes to organic farming practices and agritourism. Honestly, it is actually one of the best organized organic farms that I have ever been to. CNF is also an Extension Service Provider(ESP) of the ATI for the provision and delivery of its extension services, fulfilling the following objectives:

To hasten and improve the delivery of extension services to the Department of Agriculture’s client system;
To provide opportunities and wider participation of the private sector in the conduct of agricultural extension services;
To recognize the efforts and capabilities of private institutions/ service providers dedicated to the delivery of agriculture and fisheries extension services; and
To provide a variety of training programs / extension activities for farmers and fishers in support of the thrusts of the agriculture and fisheries modernization program. (Source: ati.da.gov.ph)

Costales Nature Farms: Where Organic Farming and Tourism Meet

Costales Nature Farms adopts a holistic approach in farming which includes multi-cropping, companion planting, crop rotation and bacterial pest control just to name a few.

Adding to that, the farm also raises livestock, fish, poultry animals such as pigs, chickens, etc.. Rabbit raising is also available, but don’t worry, CNF does not kill and use the rabbits for culinary purposes. Apart from their other livestock and farm animals, they are just collecting its manure and use it as added component to their vermiculture as part of the farm’s Zero-waste management policy.

The worms’ droppings or “vermicast” however, will be converted to vermitea brewing it with Effective microorganisms(EM), which they also sell and use to feed and nourish their crops. The excess crops on the other hand, will be fed back to the farm’s livestocks. Wow. I was really impressed how Costales Nature Farms practices Zero-Management. CNF is indeed an eco-friendly farm. 🙂

Wish I had known this a little bit sooner. Though I’m not an OFW, I would love to invest into something like this. Costales Nature Farms offered partnership for their Greenhouse production area with OFWs. This in a way, will be of help to OFWs and their families making their hard-earned money be spent into something productive and income-generating. As for the moment, no slots are available for this.

CNF also offers Seminars and workshops with topics such as Integrated Organic Agriculture, Farm tourism, Organic Hog raising, EM technology and many more which ranges from Php3,500 up to Php10,285 inclusive of AM & PM snacks, Buffet lunch and Seminar kit.

Costales Nature Farms laguna — organic Vegetable Harvesting

Costales Nature Farms tour — Majayjay Falls

As for the Agritourism side of Costales Nature Farms, they offer different farm tour packages from day tour, overnight and multi-day tour packages for as low as Php261! Get to experience farm activities such as fishing, harvesting fresh organic vegetables, feeding animals, plus a guided tour to the whole farm and nearby towns. Tour iteneraries can be customized according to the guests’ preference.

DID YOU KNOW? Costales Nature Farms is the 1st Farm tourism destination in the Philippines accredited by the Department of Tourism. Imagine, an average of 4,000 guests visiting this place per month. The farm really deserves the accreditation.

Costales Nature Farms also has Bed & Breakfast offering different kind of accommodation from 2 pax-capacity Bahay Kubo, Balai, and 10pax capacity Villas ranging from Php1,806 to Php7,961.

Unfortunately, we only spent overnight to this place. The experience, though quite short, was really something to cherish. Costales Nature Farms is a place you should consider going alone or with a group of friends and family to de-stress, unwind, rediscover and appreciate God’s natural creation from food, to animals, plants, nature and many more.

HOW TO GET THERE: