In the beginning there was only a small farm, just a little below two hectares in size.
In it a few mango trees were planted until it became a small orchard. A few other fruit-bearing trees and crops were grown for non-commercial use. Then an assortment of animals were raised - chickens, guinea fowls, native goats, sheep, a few heads of cows and carabaos (water buffalo)- for domestic purposes.
Eventually, a humble house was erected in the middle of the small farm. Behind the house they built a series of small fishponds stocked with catfish and tilapia.
The farm set-up remained as is for many, many years; with only minor changes to keep pace with each passing year.
Expansions
The chance to grow came when a neighbor decided to move somewhere else and offered to sell their small parcel of lot to us. Without hesitation we bought their property since it's directly adjacent to our farm. With this acquisition, the farm grew to almost four hectares (~9.9 acres) in area.
The newly added lot became the new foraging ground for the small but slowly growing flock of sheep and goats. They also tried their luck with ostrich farming but it never panned out. Now there are only three adult ostriches left from the original seven and those left still failed to multiply.
Again, the farm set-up remained as is for many, many years; with only minor changes to keep pace with each passing year.
Another opportunity to expand arose when another neighbor offered to sell their farm to us. This time the lot was situated directly behind the original farm. With this new purchase the farm grew to over six hectares (~14.8 acres) in size.
Once again the newly acquired space was added to the current foraging ground for the small but still slowly growing flock of sheep and goats.
Again, the farm set-up remained as is, but only for a couple of years. A small but very desirable piece of lot (behind the previously bought land), was sold to us. Although less than one hectare in size, this piece of lot is very valuable since it gave us an access to a beautiful and pristine river situated at its elevated edge.
And that's how the farm, with all the challenges that came with it, evolved into what it is today.
