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9.08.2019

A Trip to JASIF (Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms).

Two weeks ago, Yue's schoolmates went on an exposure trip to Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms (JASIF) as part of the course requirement in their EPP class (that's Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan or in English, Home Economics and Livelihood). Yue wasn't able to join the trip because he was still recovering from pneumonia at that time, so I promised him and his teacher that we'll go on a trip to JASIF as soon as his pediatrician permits.

After his follow-up check-up, Yue got his medical clearance from his pedia which allowed him to go back to school, and go out and be 'exposed to the elements' (haha). And so last Friday, we finally got to visit the Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms and experience their DOT-accredited (that's Department of Tourism) Sunflower Maze.
Welcome to Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms!
Don't be fooled by his 'Instagram pose'. He's actually thrilled to be here. :)
Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms started its construction in August 2018. The farm is located along Maharlika Highway, Barangay San Ignacio - just ten minutes away from the San Pablo City Plaza.
JASIF also offers seminars on Hydroponics, backyard gardening, and mushroom cultivation.
The development of this 2-hectare farm was spearheaded by Mr. Joni Sanchez, owner and CEO of the Joni and Susan Agroshop, with the help of his wife Susan, his children, and their spouses. For several years, the company has been planting corn as its main crop. They even offer partnerships to help others generate income through corn plantation, urban and container gardening, land conversion and mushroom plantation.
Inspecting the seedlings.
As the company started to grow, so did the crops, and more varieties were then included in the Joni and Susan Agroshop inventory. As such, the Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms was established to create a tourist attraction focused on farming and gardening.

Here's our JASIF experience in photos:
(Sunflower Maze and more after the jump!)


The Instagrammable Sunflower Maze.
These sunflowers are taller than Yue!
He's watching the bees and butterflies at work.
Busy bee.
Pollination up close.
Me, you, and the sunflowers.
Since we were the only guests that day, Yue and I had the liberty to take tons of photos around the farm without having to worry about photobombers in the background. We were even toured around by the CEO himself, Mr. Joni Sanchez. (Joni and I were colleagues for some time at Digitel.)
The main Sunflower Maze at JASIF, blooms expected by late September.
The signature JASIF pose - 1, 2, 3... Happy!
Herbs and ornamental plants in bamboo and coconut containers.
Sunflower sprouts!
One of the greenhouses at JASIF.

Inside the greenhouse.

Tomato seedlings.
Chilies! 
Sorghum field.
Yue's new ride - the JASIF tractor. :)
ATV rides also available at JASIF for just Php 100!
Yue and I also had the privilege to enter the Mushroom Village aka the area where oyster mushrooms are cultivated. These mushroom houses are restricted to the public because of contamination concerns, but since it was just Yue and I, Sir Joni ushered us inside one of the houses so Yue can see how the mushrooms grow. Thank you for this special tour, Sir Joni! :)
Inside the Mushroom Village.
Oyster mushrooms!
Of course, no trip to JASIF would be complete without having a meal at The Greenhouse Restaurant, which takes pride in their farm-to-table concept and use of homegrown ingredients.
The Greenhouse Restaurant.
Follow JASIF on social media! :)
Guests can also dine in one of the gazebos in front of the Bahay Kubo (aka the JASIF office).
The restaurant offers healthy, vegan, and guilt-free food such as the Mushroom Dinakdakan, their signature dish. An Ilocano delicacy, dinakdakan is usually made with with grilled pork parts such as the face, liver, ears, and tongue. Doesn't sound very healthy, right?
All these for just Php 325 pesos.
The Greenhouse Restaurant's Dinakdakan is a better, healthier alternative because it's made with homegrown oyster mushrooms. This dish is so awesome you can't even tell that it's mushroom you're having. :)
Mushroom Dinakdakan with Java Rice, Php 99.
They also serve meat dishes such as the award-winning JoniBee Honey Glazed Fried Chicken, salads, pastas, dimsums, and desserts. Yue loved the Bacon and Mushroom Carbonara, and I'm sure your kids will love this, too.
Bacon and Mushroom Carbonara, Php 99.
Honey Calamansi with Butterfly Pea Juice, Php 30.
Goat's Milk Ice Cream, Php 65 per cup.
Yue ordered an extra bucket of french fries, Php 28.
Care for some pasalubong snacks, souvenirs, and even seeds for planting? You can buy them all at the Bahay Kubo, aka the JASIF Office. Yue and I didn't buy souvenirs, but we did purchase two seedling trays (Php 50 each) which they will be using for their EPP class. My kid is now planting crops and stuff, can you believe that?!
The JASIF Bahay Kubo.
Snacks and souvenirs.
Cheese-flavored Crispy Mushroom Chips!
Yue and I truly enjoyed our trip to JASIF - the place is serene and very relaxing, the blooms are eye candies, the staff are warm and welcoming, and the food is fantastic. Not bad for a Php 50/per person entrance fee. Definitely coming back here with the rest of the family. :)

Maharlika Highway, Brgy. San Ignacio,
San Pablo City, Laguna
0917 165 8053
Open on Mondays to Saturdays, 7am to 5pm 
Closed on Sundays


13 comments:

  1. This site certainly has all of the info I needed concerning this subject and didn't
    know who to ask.

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  2. What a cool sunflower farm. I love the display with the brightly coloured umbrellas, it makes for some great photos! Seeing the oyster mushrooms farm is also very interesting as my daughter has been hoping to try and grow some at home.

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  3. That's a very nice farm to visit! I love the sunflowers and you've got a lot of nice photos. Sana my daughter's school includes this farm on their fieldtrips.

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  4. This is an amazing concept. Wish there were more of these agroshops and farms, os our children are more responsible towards food and healthy living

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  5. oh i love visiting farms. In fact i went to one last weekend for apple picking, so much fun.

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  6. I appreciate the opportunity of the partnerships to help others generate income through corn plantation, urban and container gardening, land conversion and mushroom plantation. Urban development in this sense does wonders for the community!

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  7. The pictures are absolutely awesome. It is pretty obvious you had an awesome time with your trip. I am quite jealous actually.

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  8. This looks like a great way to spend the day doing something fun and educational! I would love to take my son here.

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  9. The sunflowers are truly lovely.. I love the umbrellas. It adds to the beauty of the place.

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  10. Hands on experiences always has a greater impact and this visit would definitely turn out to be more educational than just hearing.

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  11. Aww so precious, these pictures are very great! The color clashes and the angles are amazing.

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  12. That's a cool farm to visit! I love the great photos. Looks like fun.

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  13. This is such an educative trip for the kids and I must agree that the farm is really well maintained. That sunflower maze is such a photo spot.

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