Farm Report Jan ‘09

Kenny Ng  / Date: 13-Feb-09

Major activities
-     nil

Lo-light
-    A week after Chinese New Year, the demand drop to almost zero. The excess produce was donated and given away to workers and some neighbors.
-    The farm-made compost and IMO was barely enough because we are opening more raised beds.
-    Spent less time in doing actual farm work personally but more time doing sales, marketing and delivery. Luckily  KS Tan is managing the farm.

Hi-light
-    Mr. and Mrs. Ho of Vision Farm visited the farm and they were very kind in giving a lot of valuable advice and tips on growing vegetables. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to them.
-    The January output hit more than 1 ton! The achievement was due to KS Tan’s capability in training and managing the workers. However, the increased output exceeded the actual sales amount, the increase in the number of customers and orders  did not catch up in time with the ramp in production.
-    The leafy vegetables grew bigger in size than previously. The French bean and cucumber crops also did well in yield.
-    Number of customers has increased in both Ipoh and Penang.
-    Have updated the website with more pages and photos.

Problems
-     nil

Accomplishments
-     nil

Jan 08 – 351kg	May 08 – 573kg	Sept 08 – 1022kg	Jan 09 – 1,367kg
Feb 08 – 523kg	June 08 – 758kg	Oct 08 – 936kg
Mar 08 – 513kg	July 08 – 674kg	Nov 08 – 850kg
Apr 08 – 540kg	Aug 08 – 928kg	Dec 08 – 969kg

“With Love and Gratitude!”

Farm Report Oct – Dec ‘08

Kenny Ng  / Date: 15-Jan-09

Major activities
-    Made an extension to the smaller house on the farm.
-    My family has moved from Bukit Mertajam to the farm.
-    My neighbour, Mr. Philip Leong and his wife Su Win are kind enough to rent me a 6-acre plot of land for farming. Half of the land has been cleared. Plan to plant only fruit trees.

Lo-light
-    Two workers, my wife and I came down with chikungunya fever. Many of the village folk were also infected .
-    Rain and more rain on the month of Nov and Dec. Growth of many vegetables were affected.
-    Decided to drop NASAA certification, the Australian Organic Standard. The fees and charges cost too much.
-    Spent much time packing and unpacking boxes during moving house, and re-arranging the furniture. Posses too many material things!
-    Did not write farm report on time for two months.
-    Demand dropped drastically during the year end long school holidays, from both organic shops and direct customers.
-    No longer able to accommodate visitors for over-night stay since my family moved in to the farm house.
-    Did not hit 1 ton output target.

Hi-light
-    KS Tan, an experienced farmer who had worked in Vision Farm for many years, has joined me to become my partner. The farm has improved a lot in many ways since then.
-    Started selling in Kampar market every Wed and Sat, through Mrs Yong, the distributor.
-    Have distributor and organic retailers in Penang Island and Butterworth selling my produce.
-    Deliver back to Ipoh personally. Glad that some old customers are still supporting me..

Problems
-     nil

Accomplishments
-     nil

Output {Target is 1000kg by end of 2008}

Sep 07 – 150kg	Jan 08 – 351kg	May 08 – 573kg	Sept 08 – 1022kg
Oct 07 – 224kg	Feb 08 – 523kg	June 08 – 758kg	Oct 08 – 936kg
Nov 07 – 141kg	Mar 08 – 513kg	July 08 – 674kg	Nov 08 – 850kg
Dec 07 – 340kg	Apr 08 – 540kg	Aug 08 – 928kg	Dec 08 – 969kg

“We feed the soil, the soil will feed us!”