Philippines: Amid skyscrapers, an urban farm sprouts in BGC
Louis added that an additional issue of growing a farm in BGC is that building owners regularly spray pesticides on their properties. This in turn forces pests to retreat towards the farm.
By Jerome Sagcal
Manilla Bulletin
Apr 27, 2022
Excerpt:
The streets of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) are lined with skyscrapers, but take a turn from 5th Avenue into 34th Street and you will find a green patch of land unlike anything else in the business district.
On this corner is the BGC Community Farm, a 1,500 square meter farm right in the middle of this bustling city. This farming project was spearheaded by social entrepreneur Louie Ocampo Gutierrez, president of the Urban Farmers Sustainability Concepts Organization Inc (Urban Farmers).
Rows of planters occupy most of the space on the farm. The largest structure is a greenhouse, which is both a nursery for seedlings as well as a classroom for farming lessons. There is also a vertical farm for edible crops, as well as a row of trellis for climbers and creepers. Before leaving, visitors may check out a farm shop which offers curated tools and items for home gardening.
Gardening enthusiasts may take a visit on the farm anytime of the week to volunteer, learn about farming, or just to unwind and enjoy a glimpse of farm life. Urban Farmers also plan to use the space not just for agriculture, but also to hold workshops on health and wellness.
Prior to the launch of the BGC Community Farm on March 24, 2022, Urban Farmers established their first farm in Bel-Air Village, Makati.
