Only constant is change: 2018

Our tilapia growing with natural food

As we head to the end of the year, I am finalising my plans.  Over the last 10 years, every step that I took has been leading me to this direction.  I experimented, researched, tested and studied what was a new field to me.  My inherent belief that we an improve our health through our normal daily diet led to the development of the farm and the ensuing produce and products developed.  I cannot change what happened to me from a health standpoint previously, but I can improve it for my future with the aim of leading a quality, fruitful life filled with joy.
When I first started the farm, the concept has always been to maximise on nature's bounty to provide good food for the family.  The application of it was to have a farm free from chemical pesticides, herbicide, hormones and to have a symbiotic relationship with nature.  In our fresh produce production, we use natural, organic fertilisers and methods for pest control.  It included in the water that was used hence the implementation of our own water pipeline from a natural source.  Our fish lives of the living water with its natural minerals and small fresh water shrimps and fish that flows in.  We complement their food with greens and naturally-produced larvae.  Our chickens feed on the insect sand also on the organic waste such as used grated coconuts, and extra fruits and tubers.  Our organic wastes are converted into fertilisers and pest control and even into cleaning liquids.  The aim is to limit introduction of toxins into our environment and surrounding areas - doing our part in conserving the environment.

Our liquid concentrates

EVCO and lemongrass range

As years passed, we started doing a market stall in Sg. Penchala to sell the excess food produced.  I began to produce products from our produce such as liquid drink concentrates and dried herbals which we added to our list of offerings.   So our weekly items included the fresh fruits, vegetables and our products.  Sometimes I would bring plants and fertilisers, either on order or just-because.

The ginger and turmeric range

When I first started the farm, I started my collection of herbals, mainly because I was told of the benefits and I felt I may need them in the future.  Further study on the benefits and therapeutical values of what we grew led to the development of our line of SHL Naturals in early 2017.  As we progressed in 2017, I had a lot more requests for customised herbal mixtures ranging from colds and flu, cholesterol control, high blood pressure, gout, diabetes to cancer.  The basis is alway from what we produce at the farm as I can then be assured of the c\"clean" source and quality.  I knew where the source materials were coming from, how it is grown and processed.

Our first community bazaar

I also organised a Community Bazaar where I live and held our first one on November 5th.  It was a success so we will continue with it with the frequency changing to fortnightly in 2018.  We have also began to offer our dried herbal products at The Jasmin Foundation, a homeopathy clinic in Setiawangsa.  We began to do deliveries for orders subject to minimum spend.  Our customers can order our dried products which we send through poslaju.  With these activities in mind, we will cease to do our Sunday morning market in Sg. Penchala in December.  For the month of December, we will focus on planting, maintenance, producing our products as well as doing some planning and marketing.
We are a lean operation team and it is not just about adding people to the team but adding the right people.  As we grow, I may need to add more people to the team but it will be something to deal with in the future.  I look forward to the future with the many possibilities of discovery and opportunities to help people, a life filled with activity driven by passion.