Destined to Stay: Joan’s Homegrown Success
In early 2024, I was all set to chase the common Filipino dream of working abroad, hoping it would bring better stability to my family. But as fate would have it, my path took an unexpected turn—one that led me not to distant shores, but to the fertile ground of my own hometown in Barangay Gubang, Pagadian City. There, I began to build an organic farm and rewrite my story.
A Redirection to Organic Agriculture
I’m Joan M. Jacoba, 30 years old, and I first ventured into organic agriculture through the Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA), which I joined from June 2024 to March 2025. I was inspired by my neighbors who were YIPOA graduates, and mentored by Jo-anna Shi A. Del Pilar, a YIPOA Alumna from Batch 1. At first, I stepped into something I truly disliked—farming.
The road wasn’t easy. Converting conventional farmland to organic proved to be my biggest challenge; my land was initially unsuitable for sustainable practices. I tried and failed multiple times, but I refused to give up. During my internship at my farm partner CONZARRD in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur, I found a strong support—they provided hands-on training, regular monitoring, and even gave me exposure to visitors from the same industry, such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other agencies, which honed my skills.
Building LLJ Lan’s Farm
Awarded with a ₱150,000 grant for my Business Enterprise Plan focused on piglet production, I established LLJ Lan’s Farm—named after my family’s initials: my husband Lito, our son Litheo, myself (Joan), and our surname Lania. Today, I’m close to recovering my investment, and I now have 5 sows of my own after previously only raising others’ livestock for a living.
My success extends beyond pigs. What started as 8 ready-to-lay chickens and three roosters has grown to over 50 heads of native free-range poultry. From barely affording basic needs to being able to save and expand my operations, my family’s financial stability has transformed significantly.
Weathering the Storms
Even now that the farm is growing, the battle is far from over. Every day brings new trials that test my strength and resolve.
One of my heaviest burdens is seeing my piglets get struck by diseases. But instead of losing hope, I remember the valuable knowledge I gained during my internship. I learned the art of making organic herbal soup—a natural remedy that is used to restore physical strength, improve appetite, promote recovery, and assist in treating digestive issues in swine. I used this know-how to nurse them back to health.
Another harsh reality I face is the inconsistent price of piglets. The market is unstable, and prices fluctuate like the changing tides. Sometimes, the returns are so low that it feels like all our hard work is barely paying off. It is a constant worry that keeps me awake at night.
Perhaps the most difficult part is losing my sows. Despite all my efforts, there are unforeseen deaths—whether among my pigs or my free-range chickens. Every loss feels like a personal failure, a deep ache in my heart seeing the fruits of my labor suddenly gone.
Yet, through all these pains and uncertainties, I have made a promise to myself: I will never give up. Every challenge is just another storm to weather. I push forward, I stand tall, and I continue. Because I know that resilience is not about never falling, but about rising every single time.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
My mission is to grow my organic enterprise further. In the next 3-5 years, I plan to increase my number of breeding sows, expand my farm, and open a lechonan to share my organic produce with more people. I firmly believe that organic is much better—while it may not always be cheaper, it is healthy and sustainable, and can heal our lands.
A Message for the Youth
To young people considering a career in organic agriculture, I want to say: take the leap. Explore the excitement and beauty of it—you can earn, learn, and help the environment all at once. My journey shows that redirecting our paths, even away from what we think is the "right" way, can lead to meaningful success rooted in purpose and sustainability.
My journey proves that success is not defined by how far we travel, but by how deeply we root ourselves in purpose. What began as a plan to leave the country turned into a mission to cultivate our own land, proving that organic farming is not just a livelihood, but a sustainable legacy that heals the earth and secures our future. To every young dreamer out there: do not be afraid to take a different path. With passion, resilience, and faith, you can turn challenges into opportunities and build a life of abundance right where you are planted.
