SUCCESS COMES FROM CONVERTING LANDS AND TRANSFORMING LIVES
Agriculture|January 2020
AS A SAGITTARIUS born on November 23rd, Jonathan “Joni” Sanchez is well known for being adventurous, positive, and direct. By doing many sorts of blue collar jobs – that is from being a janitor, messenger, tricycle driver, “pulot” boy in a tennis court, cigarette vendor, and kitchen boy during his younger years, this 50-year old did not wane on hope that someday, he will become successful in life.
SAHLIE P. LACSON
SUCCESS COMES FROM CONVERTING LANDS AND TRANSFORMING LIVES

True enough, Sanchez is now reaping the rewards of his positivity and determination, packed with faith to the Heavenly Father, through Joni & Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farm (JASIF).

FROM SALESMAN TO URBAN GARDENER

Nine years ago, Sanchez used to sell soil conditioner from an agrichemicals company. Since he did not have a farm himself, which would enable him to give factual testimonies to the products he was selling at that time, his prospective buyers were hesitant to patronize his products.

Lacking in space to start a farm, Sanchez thought of planting leafy vegetables in small containers such as in discarded plastic cups and soda bottles which he cut into half, enough for him to apply the products he was selling. Everything went well (thanks to the farmers, farm owners, businessmen, and other agriculture-related institutions and agencies from whom he learned the basics of farming from due to his frequent visits because of the products he’s offering) until he was able to appreciate the benefits of planting his own vegetables at home and maximize the use of small spaces for container gardening, which eventually became a hobby for him.

Eventually, Sanchez made use of social media to post photos of his home garden and products. People who saw the photos became interested in them, so they went and visited Sanchez and purchased naturally-produced vegetables from him. The earnings he got inspired and fueled the entrepreneurial spirit in him to then convert his hobby into an urban gardening business which he named after him and his wife: the Joni and Susan Agrofarm.

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Agriculture.

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This story is from the January 2020 edition of Agriculture.

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