Of bruschetta and kurobuta at Orchard Valley in Pavia

It was great to be back at Orchard Valley Organic Farm in Tigum, Pavia last Thursday. It was an invitation I couldn't resist, as I remembered the memories of touring it for the first time and a having a delightful picnic under a mango tree.

This time it was for the blessing of its training room and dormitory facility. The training room can accommodate around 100-150 people (hope my estimate's right) and is set in the middle of the farm. The alfresco facility gave an authentic farm ambiance and experience at the same time a cooling breeze that could lull us to sleep.

And sleep if we must, there's the dormitory having these standard accommodations perfect for an overnight farm experience.

But if there's one thing that always get us to say "yes" to this organic farm invitation - it's the food. From the rustic and bucolic to the gourmet - it's always both a visual and gastronomic treat.

How about some balinghoy (cassava) French Fries? Now there's more to tinanok (nilaga) and cassava cake to kamoteng kahoy.

Fresh strawberries (and grapes if you notice) from its sister farm in Bucari, Leon, which we also had the pleasure of visiting last year. Check it out Strawberry Farm in Leon. Nothing beats strawberries eaten fresh

Like kalabasa (squash)? You'll definitely love it more when it's made into a trifle! This take on the English dessert made from thick custard, fruit, sponge cake , fruit juice or jelly and whipped cream; still haunts my gastronomic dreams.

Fruit salad can never get fresher and more organic with most fruits just coming the backyard - papaya, watermelon, strawberries and more.

Take a bite of these tasty Lamb Burger sliders with the lamb meat sourced a few meters from us - a fenced sanctuary with sheep and goat happily grazing within eyes reach.

One of my ultimate faves - pandan crepe filled with bukayo (strips coconut cooked in sugar), how I wished I took this whole plate!

Hand-rolled pasta made with kangkong, kalabasa and red beets. I was engrossed with them that I forgot to take photos of the sauce and trimmings it came with.

How about a native litsong baboy - need i say more?

As always, I take everything that pleases the eyes - bruschetta, squash cookies, eggplant ala lasagna, malunggay and kalabasa muffins, deviled eggs and tacos!

To burn all these calories, we then around the farm meeting its residents and seeing all those patches of vegetable and fruit gardens.

Here are some ducks (where did they go?) and geese frolicking in their own watering hole as well these "Kurobuta" hogs perfecting the art of doing almost nothing.

And the sun set, it was time to say goodbye to another rustic experience. The ambiance and the food was a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. But nonetheless, Orchard Valley Farm in Pavia, is just 30 minutes away from the city - if we need another respite from it!

Operating since 1999, this 22-hectare farm in Brgy. Tigum,Pavia is the ONLY CERTIFIED organic farm in Iloilo. Home to a variety of animal and livestock, Tigum farm boasts of producing all-organic vegetables, herbs, fruits, organic milk, and dairy products, poultry products such as organic eggs and chicken, honey, coconut, and other farm products. The Tigum farm, which stretches just behind Pavia river is divided into a vegetable plantation, orchard, an area for vermicompost, a wide pasture land for the livestock, and coconut tree plantation. Certified by the Negros Island Certification Services (NICERT), Orchard Valley is the first and only certified organic farm in Iloilo that has passed its standards. NICERT is the first organic certification body accredited in the country by the Department of Agriculture.

Orchard Valley Inc. is located in Brgy. Tigum and is accessible via the C1 road from Leganes or Tagbak area or Ungka or through the poblacion of the municipality of Pavia. You can also contact them through 033-337-3510 local 104, 033-335-0935, 0932-876-6673 or 0922-892-3415.

Orchard Valley Iloilo supplies organic farm produce to the following establishment: Days Hotel Iloilo, Bauhinia Filipino Cuisines, Mojave Grill and SteakHouse, Amalfi Cucina Italiana, Nothing but Desserts, Coffeebreak and Iloilo Supermart.

Training and Dormitory Facility photos from Orchard Valley Inc Facebook Page.

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FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

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