The world around us changes every day, so we too must evolve to thrive. — Torron-Lee Dewar
TL;DR
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A year after the pandemic reached my door, I had to give up the life in the city to begin anew in my hometown. A lot of new hardships came to test me, but I remained strong and kept believing in my dreams.
Penniless, I exhausted myself into toiling the grass-colonized foothills under the freak weather of 2021—it was a failure, as I was half-hearted though hopeful.
The distance and the terrain of the farm made it difficult to continue my initial work there. Then, I moved to the Garden Orchard, which was close to our home.
I became an educator for a few months and pursued post-graduate studies. Then world closed its opportunities to those who chose a bespoke life and the majority, who opted an off-the-rack choice, were given the privilege to continue in fallacy.
The singular truth, though evil and false, has become the main driving force of the world. Censorship became the life-blood of news and media, feeding a false narrative of health and safety. Doors closed for the minority, threatening their careers and livelihood—others succumbed to the subtle coercion.
I did not—and I own the consequences of my decisions.
While it took a hard hit on me, it was also an opportunity to work on my dreams. I became a full-time farmer, managing a hobby farm.
Since August of 2021 up to the present, there has been a huge improvement in the orchard, though a lot of continual work still needs to be done. It's not even sustainable—not yet.
I am now able to grow fruit trees, cereals, rootcrops, legumes, leafy greens, cucurbits, herbs, spices, and more. Recently, I was able to have my first viable harvest.
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Gardening is a hit-and-miss, though the rules are safe to follow, it is never universal. The location and several factors drive the direction of the property, and it is the duty of the farmer to adjust and thrive.
Through the initial steps to regenerative agriculture, I found methods to reduce erosion and improve the soil quality over the past months. It allowed me to plant year-round with a little less fear to our crazy weather and the annual flooding.
I have been mocked for my methods and even shamed in the family for opting hardships over a decent job, but I didn't care that much. It can bother me for a short while, but the happiness that gardening is giving me, especially in these difficult times, is more than enough for me to keep believing in myself.
As crops mature, harvest season began as well. I was able to share to my family and relatives, then sell within the community. It's a win-win situation where I earn a bit, while the community get cheap, but nutritious and safe food choices.
It is not enough as of the moment, but continue to believe that the food forest that I nurture will feed me, my family, and others in the near future—though continual hardwork and deeper faith is needed.
It's a hand to mouth situation. Maybe "one scratch, one peck" like a poverty-stricken chicken, but this is my choice and I will grow and thrive no matter how difficult it will be.
If you're into gardening, farming, and/or permaculture, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel. I hope to create more educational contents about sustainability to allow more people to duplicate or scale the idea of self-sufficiency.
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About Me
@oniemaniego is a software developer, but outside work, he experiments in the kitchen, writes poetry and fiction, paints his heart out, or toils under the hot sun.
 | Onie Maniego / Loy Bukid was born in Leyte, PH. He grew up in a rural area with a close-knit community and a simple lifestyle, he is often visiting his father's orchards during summer and weekends, which had a great impact on his works. |
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