SVD Farm

Introduction

SVD farm is a five-hectare agricultural farm and prayer sanctuary located in Tagaytay City in the province of Cavite. It is just beside the Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel and Holy Spirit Mission Service Center. SVD farm got its name from the Latin word “Societas Verbi Divini” which means Society of the Divine Word. It is a religious missionary congregation founded in the year 1875 by St. Arnold Janssen in Steyl, Holland. SVD farm is operated and maintained by the SVD priests, brothers, and missionaries.

According to its history, SVD farm was established in the year 2021 as a project and inspiration from Pope Francis’ 2015 second encyclical “Laudato Si’ on Care for our Common Home wherein he cites Mother Nature’s call, “now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her,” and asked everyone to help out and take action. It is a declaration against reckless development and environmental deterioration where he calls for rapid and cooperative global action to address climate change with the vision of promoting peace and integrity of creation and reviving the declining cosmic home through a six-pronged approach to sustainable development in energy, water, livelihood, farming, knowledge, and lifestyle. The purpose of this project is to promote ecological awareness and generate income for the operation of the missionary and at the same time to raise funds for programs for the poor, needy, and marginalized sectors in Tagaytay. For this reason, the community near the Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay decided to clear their idle land, farm organic vegetables, and fruit trees, and grow livestock like ducks, goats, pigs, and chickens to become even just partially self-reliant and provide modest employment to the lay people. As the days pass by, the place is dedicated to faith, farming, and food. Presently, the SVD farm is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Cavite and it is managed by the SVD priests of the Divine Word Seminary. It is an eco-tourism site that promotes ecological awareness as well as an environment-friendly atmosphere and a spiritual retreat for meditative empathy with the Creator of Mother Nature.

Name: SVD Farm
Location: Arnoldus Road, Barangay Maitim 2nd East, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Features: eco-spirituality center, Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, and farm production areas

My trip to SVD Farm

Last weekend, I was given a chance to visit SVD Farm with the help of our tour coordinator. It was 9:50 am on a bright sunny day when we arrived at the SVD Farm. The moment I got off outside of our van I was attracted to the farm’s soothing ambiance as well as the great green landscape garden with lots of open spaces. For this reason, I walked freely toward the vantage point of the farm to see the whole scenery and take a solo picture with the beautiful backdrop of the place. It is surrounded by expansive lush greenery and towering trees.

Then I noticed that the farm features gently rolling terrain with well-laid pathways that make navigating the area effortless. Also, the grasses here are perfectly trimmed and there’s an ample huts that have the names of Bible personalities. To be honest, everything in this place was made up simply and humbly, like the tree trunk fence, gravel pathways, and rough lumber huts. Also, its capacious layout offers visitors an all-embracing, scenic view from elevated vantage points. The ambiance here remains very quiet and serene creating an ideal environment for relaxation, rejuvenation, and renewal of life. Without a doubt, this place is a haven for nature lovers and for people who want to do spiritual reflection because it can shake off negative energy and transform it into a positive and calming feeling.

Anyway, after a few minutes, we decided to explore the surroundings and we could see a chapel full of devotees during the mass. It is an open-air style quaint chapel made from natural materials and the rustic design of the chapel creates an inviting, and relaxing feeling. Beside the chapel, I can see several nipa huts for resting, a restaurant, and a cafe where a lot of visitors enjoy authentic farm-to-table meals alfresco style. Then I ordered some light snacks that were made from their own harvest. The cafe offers delicious Filipino dishes and Mexican finger food and the pricing is quite good considering the place is cool and spacious. Undoubtedly, I loved everything about this farm, freshness is everywhere with fresh air, veggies, food, and drinks. Then I said to myself that this place is a great place for relaxation and enjoying the free time and family time.

At the back of the coffee shop, I can see an array of organic vegetables ready for harvest. I found out that they grow their vegetable using organic farming and raise their livestock. There were plenty of vegetables and flowering plants I saw that produced cabbage, cucumber sweet potato, native ginger, native onions, upland water spinach, and mushrooms. Indeed, it was such a blessed day.

How to Go to SVD Farm

By commute

From Silang Cavite, ride a jeep or bus with a route sign of Mendez/Alfonso and tell the driver to alight you near the Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel, and from there walk your way towards SVD Farm.

Reminders and Tips:

• There’s no entrance fee or parking fee at SVD Farm. It is open to the public. Note: Please be responsible for the safety of your vehicles and valuables. Also, overnight parking is not allowed because the gate closes at 6 pm on weekdays and 6:30 pm on weekends.

• The operating hours in SVD Farm are Monday to Thursday from 7 am up to 6 pm and Friday to Sunday from 7 am up to 7 pm.

• Pets are not allowed in the chapel and convent grounds as well as on tables and in restricted areas.

• SVD Farm strictly implements proper waste segregation. Please throw your garbage in proper trash bins. 

• The mass in the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor starts at 10 am on Saturday. On the other hand, there are two mass schedule on Sunday which starts at 10:30 am and 3 pm. Note: during the mass please turn off your camera and cellphone and observe silence. Also, for confession please approach any SVD cafe staff.

• There is a store (Gulayan ni San Rafael) that sells fresh farm produce as well as organic vegetables and fruits and picked products. Also, they offer actual planting experience and fish feeding.

• Market days are every Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm. The farm encourages visitors to bring their own reusable bags.

• There are souvenir shop that sells religious items as well as indoor and outdoor plants.

• Always maintain the SVD Farm’s respectful and prayerful atmosphere.

• You can share any amount in the donation box and it will be used in the maintenance of the farm.

• Bringing any outside food and drinks is not allowed. 

• Last but not least, the SVD Cafe and Oies Kitchenette offer visitors a breakfast-to-dinner meal as well as wood-fire oven pizza, Japanese noodles, grilled chicken and pork, steamed dumplings, pasta, sandwiches, milk tea, coffee, and healthy drinks.
  
  
  

There you have it, farm lover. Treat yourself to something unexpected and own every minute of it because life is too short to stay in one place. Collectively, thank you for the time to read my blog, and have a fruitful day.