FROM HOBBY TO MONEY
As a son of hobbyists and gardeners, Mel Steven Fortaleza was asked by his parents to transform their idle lot into a garden so they can use it as a place for relaxation. They started establishing the garden that measures about 800 square meters last November 2019 and was able to get their first harvest by January 2020. Fortaleza and his father, both graduates of civil engineering, planned the garden themselves and named it Forever Organic Garden. The garden’s name ‘Forever’ is a wordplay from the family’s surname, ‘Fortaleza’.
They grow vegetables like cabbage, eggplant, siling labuyo, red pepper, okra, upo, ampalaya, malunggay, calamansi, lemon, alugbati, and different varieties of lettuce including iceberg, romaine, Parris island, and red leaf. They also plant fruits such as dragon fruit, guapple, grapes, and papaya. Presently, they have one gardener who takes care of the garden. Fortaleza’s parents also enjoy gardening as a form of exercise and hobby hence, they help in maintaining it.
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TWO AGRICULTURISTS THRIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC BY GROWING ORNAMENTAL AND FOOD CROPS AT HOME
THE WORLD is facing an extreme challenge brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Food security has been compromised and the stability of the world’s economy has been threatened.
FAMILY REST HOUSE IS NOW AN AGRITOURISM SITE THAT OFFERS A TASTE OF REAL FILIPINO CHARM
ALMOST EVERY FILIPINO dreams of someday retiring into farming where they can relax in close proximity to nature, feel satisfied with growing plants, and even spend time with their family away from the usual bustle of everyday life.
PROLIFIC MILLENNIAL FARMER FINDS FURTHER SUCCESS IN INSPIRING VIEWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
WE OFTEN HEAR that children of farmers don’t want to follow in their parents’ footsteps because there is no money in agriculture. In the case of Reden Mark F. Costales, not only does he manage the family farm, he’s also become an internet celebrity, instructing and encouraging Filipinos to go into agriculture via The Agrillenial, his YouTube channel whose videos are also available on Facebook.
OFW ESTABLISHED A GREENHOUSE IN SWEDEN TO SUSTAIN HER THROUGH LONG WINTERS
SWEDEN is a country in Europe with numerous coastal islands and inland lakes, along with mountains covered in both ice and snow. Due to the cold temperature brought about by being close to the North Pole, Sweden experiences long, and sometimes harsh, winters.
URBAN MICRO GARDEN: START YOUR GARDEN EVEN WITHOUT DIRECT SUN
IN GARDENING, “There are four important elements: sunlight, water, nutrients, and time. There is no such thing as green or black thumb,” this is what Liezl Rivera, an IT Project Manager and gardener from Taguig believes in. Same goes for space; gardening does not require a wide area to begin with. In her case, to maximize her balcony garden, she opted for the vertical technique.
MILLENNIAL TURNS BACKYARD GARDEN INTO SMALL FARM
DURING THE EARLY MONTHS of the COVID-19 pandemic, community quarantine was imposed in Luzon, and other areas in the Philippines to contain the spread of the virus. One concern during this period was of food security.
CANCER SURVIVOR CREDITS GARDENING WITH CONTRIBUTING TO RECOVERY
THE CRISIS that COVID-19 has brought to the world has made more individuals see the importance of nature and environment. But this is not a new trend. Many people have already realized the joys of tending plants and growing their own food even before the global health emergency has occurred.
CULTIVATING A FOOD FOREST: BOHOL PERMACULTURE FARM PRODUCES AWARD-WINNING TABLEA
NOT EVERYONE gets into farming voluntarily at first but there are many who come to realize that it is actually their calling.
COUPLE WITH NO AGRICULTURE BACKGROUND DEVELOPED A FARM FOR RETIREMENT
MANY PEOPLE INVEST in agriculture as part of their retirement plans. The same went for Jessie and Lea Dealas, both 60, who ventured into farming to secure their life after retirement.
AFTER 30 YEARS, A FARMER NOW OWNS THREE GARDENS AND PROVIDES JOBS AMID CRISIS
THERE’S NOTHING MORE SATISFYING than seeing the fruit of your hard work, especially after long years of failing and learning.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CURRENT 212 OLYMPIA CHAMPION KAMAL ELGARGNI - GOING OUT THE CHAMP
Lee Haney did it in 1991. Dorian Yates did it in 1997. Flex Lewis did it in 2017. “What exactly?” you might ask. They all went out on top, retired from their respective divisions as winners on their terms, when they chose to. Current 212 Olympia champion Kamal Elgargni, originally from Libya— now living in my country of the U.K.— I decided to catch up with to find out more on perhaps one of the most unusual career paths of any IFBB pro competing today. It was only March 2018 that the then 46-year-old Kamal was making his long-overdue 212 pro debut shocking us all (not me, though; I’ll explain more later) and winning the Arnold Classic, beating out a-lister 212 names such as Jose Raymond (5th), Dave Henry (4th) and Charles Dixon (2nd). So many questions were thrown around after this surprise win and even more surprising pro debut at age 46. Naturally, this was not the typical series of events that would lead to a pro debut and yet here we were just 21 months later (at time of writing) sitting in Kamal’s front room discussing his competitive retirement.
‘HEALING MY BODY, HEALING MY MIND - 17KG LIGHTER AND BACK ON TOP!
Cheryl Moodley was completely burnt out. Her depression took over, her immune system broke down, and the weight piled on. Then she discovered that a low-carb diet could save her body … and her mind.
Attention to detail drives Gauteng dairy to award-winning success
Strict recording of, and selection for, commercially important traits lie behind the success of Billy Hall’s award-winning, Gauteng-based dairy operation. Farm manager Shaun Spence, who runs the operation, spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the practicalities of running an efficient and profitable dairy.
Good aftercut fertiliser management essential in 2020
Careful management of aftercut fertiliser applications will be essential in building vital stocks of high quality forage to provide insulation against market volatility and uncertainty in 2020, says Dr. George Fisher of CF Fertilisers.
Death Stranding
Sony said we couldn’t review Hideo Kojima’s latest game unless we finished it. Fine, we said. Then we played it
THE CREEKMAN
Kevin Creekman is a prime example of the massive impact tattoos can have on someone’s life. Following a struggle with weight and self acceptance that saw him drop to nearly half his size in just one year, Creekman embarked on an epic tattoo journey that involved getting a full bodysuit. During the process, which was completed two years ago, the ink not only changed him on the outside, but it also helped him find strength and self-love, impacting him at his very core
Welsh Dragon
Welsh winger George North leaves an Italian defender for dust during this year's Six Nations Championship. MF caught up with North as he prepares to travel to Japan for his third World Cup, to discuss the strength and conditioning principles that have allowed him to succeed in a sport of such intensity.
Audi R8 Performance Detalles Que Cuentan
No ha cambiado mucho respecto a su antecesor… ni falta que le hacía. El antiguo R8 Plus ahora da paso al R8 Performance con algunos caballos extra y kilos de más, pero con las mismas prestaciones y sensaciones escalofriantes.
Bokkeveld Back Roads
If strenuous hikes, Quiver Tree forests and unspoiled mountain vistas get you going, then a tour to the Bokkeveld is a must – especially now that local farmers have put together a scenic 125km circular back-road route…
Are You Going Yet?
Whether you’re a racer, wave sailor, trickster or a strong wind ‘newbie’, the ability to get planing and strapped in early and without fuss remains the most potent of all the skills. Harty sheds much light.