Harvest of Healing: A Nurseโs Journey from Caregiver to Rice Farmer

From Healing Hands to Healing Soil
Mr. Eligio Vera Cruzโs journey from a dedicated nurse in Norway to a passionate rice and organic farmer in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija is a remarkable example of compassion transcending professions. After retiring from a career focused on healing people, Mr. Vera Cruz turned his nurturing nature toward the earth. His transition to rice and organic farming reflects a natural continuation of his lifeโs mission to care, to heal, and to nurture life in all its forms.
What began as a personal pursuit of healthier living and sustainable food sources has now become a growing agricultural movement in Nueva Ecija, one deeply rooted in kindness, wellness, and integrity.
A Legacy of Care and Cultivation
The Nathaniel Vera Cruz Integrated Farm, named in honor of his grandson, is more than just a productive rice and organic farm it is a tribute to legacy, family, and generational inspiration. As a young leader and former 4-H club president, Nathaniel inspired his grandfather to rekindle his passion for agriculture, bridging the wisdom of the past with the enthusiasm of the present.
This cross-generational collaboration embodies the values of stewardship and continuity, reminding us that farming is not only about food, but also about heritage and lasting impact.
A Shared Vision Grown from Love and Labor
Together with his wife, also a retired nurse from Norway, Mr. Vera Cruz has cultivated not only crops but a life filled with purpose and collaboration. Their unified commitment has transformed their farmland into a model of sustainable agriculture and community involvement.
Their dedication was formally recognized when their farm was certified as a Learning Site for Agriculture by the Agricultural Training Institute Central Luzon (ATI-CL) marking it as a place where knowledge is shared, innovation is encouraged, and future farmers are inspired.
Turning Obstacles into Opportunity
At the start, managing the farm from overseas while still working posed significant logistical and emotional challenges. However, with determination and the advantage of dual citizenship, Mr. Vera Cruz crafted a strategy that allowed both oversight and expansion.
Their return to the Philippines marked a turning point allowing them to grow a diverse range of crops including organic vegetables, seasonal fruits, and nutrient-rich purple rice. These efforts not only improved soil health and food quality but also showcased how resilience and planning can overcome distance and difficulty.
A Model of Integrated and Sustainable Farming
Today, the Nathaniel Vera Cruz Integrated Farm School, Inc. stands as a proud participant in the Techno Village program under Central Luzon State University (CLSU). The farm now features a dynamic mix of organic vegetables, specialty rice, and livestock such as goats and ducks demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated farming systems.
Products like salted duck eggs add value to the farmโs output, ensuring sustainable income while promoting traditional practices. This well-rounded approach is proof that small farms can thrive economically while staying true to ecological and ethical principles.
A Farm Family Built on Compassion and Purpose
Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of the Vera Cruz farm is its sense of community. Mr. and Mrs. Vera Cruz welcomed and supported a local family who now help run the farm. These individuals have become like family, playing an important role in the farmโs success and daily operations.
Their inclusion reflects a deep belief in empowerment, kindness, and shared growth. Itโs not just a farm itโs a living, breathing example of how compassion can build strong communities.
A Seed of Kindness, A Harvest of Hope
The story of Eligio Vera Cruz is one of transformation, heart, and harmony with nature. From caring for the sick in Norway to nurturing a thriving organic farm in the Philippines, he has shown that healing can take many forms. His journey proves that retirement is not an end, but a new beginning one that can leave a lasting legacy.
A Message to the Youth
To the young generation, Farming is no longer a path of hardship, but one of innovation, opportunity, and deep fulfillment. Whether you come from the city or the countryside, the field is open for you to grow your skills, your dreams, and your future. Let passion guide you, let learning equip you, and let compassion be the soil in which your success takes root.
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