Lukong Valley Farm: Connecting with Nature through a Healthy Lifestyle

Lukong Valley Farm Agriventures Incorporated is one of those organic farms in CALABARZON that we visited during the Agricultural Training Institute’s first ever regional bloggers and vloggers event held last November 25 – 27, 2020. After exploring it, I must say, it is among those places that you shouldn’t miss when you visit Dolores, Quezon.

Our arrival to the place felt simply grand. The sky opened up and halted from a downpour. I admit, it’s been a while since the las time my sole felt the dampen earth. I oddly felt giggly at the thought that I am feeling the elements of the great outdoors once again. The drizzles would gently kiss our faces and skins as we walked from the ride to the receiving area. A bar of warm hearty snacks awaits on the side. It was indeed inviting but there’s something about the view outside that made us walk past it. It’s the mountain, hill and the plains being kissed by the low-lying clouds. It was a breathtaking, calming and simply awe striking scene before us. What got us even giddier about it is that, a staff told us that we would go to on top of that hill after a few things.

About Lukong Valley Farm

Lukong Valley Farm is a family-owned and managed farm seated at the foot of Mt. Banahaw. The five-hectare farm is located at 1 Sitio Lukong, Brgy. Pinagdanlayan, Dolores, Quezon. The family decided to transform the place into a farm tourism destination in the province to let its visitors know and realize the significance of agriculture especially to our country.

It is an Agricultural Training Institute-accredited Learning Site for Agriculture in Region IV-A CALABARZON. This means that it is advanced in terms of agricultural or farming practices, operations and technologies compared to other farmers. Apart from that, it is also a Department of Tourism-accredited Farm Tourism Site. Such farm tourism sites help in preserving the rural areas and provide an opportunity for us to experience sustainable or ‘green’ tourism.

You may also want to read: Simple Ways to Achieve Sustainable Traveling

How to Get There

By Private Vehicle

From Manila

1. From Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway and exit at Sto. Tomas.
2. Take the Maharlika Highway to San Pablo City, Laguna. 100 meters from San Pablo MERALCO main, turn left to Dolores.
3. From Dolores Church, turn right and take the second left. Then, take the right turn to Pinagdanlayan bridge. Take two consecutive left turns on the first two intersections and a right on the last one. On your right, you’ll see the gate to the farm.

From Lucena City, Quezon Province

1. From the city proper, take the right turn to Dolores just past the railway. If you pass by 7-11, McDonald’s or Villa Escudero, you have missed the road where you should have turned right.
2. Upon reaching the Tiaong-Dolores road, follow the same directions as coming from Manila especially upon reaching the Dolores Church.

By Commute

1. From Cubao or Buendia bus terminal, ride a bus going to Lucena City Quezon.
2. Alight at 7-11 San Pablo City, Laguna. Walk to San Pablo City Public Market.
3. Take the jeep going to Dolores, Quezon. Get off at Dolores town proper.
4. From the town proper, take a tricycle to Lukong Valley Farm.

Where to Stay: Jardin de Maria

The farm offers accommodation at the villas of Jardin de Maria, a garden nestled on top of a hill. Their villas or stone cottages offer a view of its neighboring towns, Tiaong and Candelaria. You can choose from their four-themed accommodation. They have a Music Room with a piano and guitar in it; a Reading room with books on Science and Literature in it; a Game Room with board games in it; and an English Bar Room with a videoke. Currently, each themed-room can accommodate up to four persons. The rate for each room is inclusive of a guided farm tour and breakfast at the restaurant.

The farm is accepting reservations for overnight stay, group camping activity with at least a group of five and a dining reservation with at least Php 5,000.00 worth of food ordered. They are also accepting bookings for photoshoots and venue for reception.

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Where to Eat

The farm has two restaurants – the Kabesang Elias at the lower ground and the one on top of the hill at Jardin de Maria. Kabesang Elias is much more spacious compared to the other one. Regardless, the farm accepts gatherings which may be held in these two restaurants. Though the place is just literally few minutes away from the town proper where there are lots of restaurants and fast food, the in-house restaurant is the best option. The farm adopts a farm-to-table dining concept. They source the food that they prepare from their very own farm. The good thing about it? It’s organic!

The restaurant menu enlists fusion of food mostly harvested from the farm. Among the must try are their very own spicy turon, Tarragon jelly and stir-fried noodles. The foods’ rate ranges from Php 250.00 to Php 450.00 per serving. Each serving may be good for three to four persons already.

If you intend to stay overnight at Jardin De Maria, the breakfast is included on the fees for accommodation.

Things to Do in Lukong Valley Farm

Guided Farm Tour

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For only Php 100.00, you can go around Lukong Valley Farm. This allows you to explore and learn about their organic farming practices and strategies, too! You can witness how they naturally raise and grow their farm produce for consumption. The tour also includes a visit on Jardin de Maria.

Learn about their Organic Farming Practices

Though the farm adapts organic farming practices that are worthy of sharing or emulation, they still aren’t conducting agricultural trainings and seminars. If there are something to look forward to on this one, though, these are their Dragon fruit propagation and Mokusaku technology.

Take Photos Around

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The dainty and rustic nipa huts would welcome you upon your arrival at the farm. These are perfect spots to take great photos! After a tiring walk around the sprawling farm, you may take a seat and sip cups of tea in one of those nipa huts. Each hut promises a stunning view of the hill and Mt. Banahaw which makes the experience even more special.

Spend a Night at a Villa in the Gardens on Top of a Hill

How about waking up to a misty and dewy morning at the gardens on top of a hill? This would be best as you take a seat at the restaurant or enjoy a hearty breakfast at the balcony, too!

Visit the Chicken Park

The Chicken park is the flagship attraction of Lukong Valley Farm. It has more or less 500 chickens in it of 40 breeds. The eggs and meat that they harvest from it are intended for kitchen consumption and are for sale too! However, we failed to experience the park for ourselves during our visit. They had to keep them due to the consecutive typhoons that recently devastated the province.

Contact Details

For more inquiries and reservation, you may reach them at:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lukongvalleyfarm/
Email: lukongvalleyfarm@gmail.com
Mobile number: +63 917 614 6819

Apart from agricultural trainings and tours, the farm is also open to cater events or gatherings such as weddings, birthdays or other special events. You may contact them for the rates and arrangements.

COVID-19 Update: Travel Requirements

Since the province is still under community quarantine, it is a must that we take note of our destination’s travel requirements. Lukong Valley Farm requires the visitors who are not from Dolores to submit the following requirements at least three days prior to the visit:

1. Local Rural Health Unit-issued Medical certificate or Barangay Health Certficate (BHERT) valid 14 days prior to the visit at the farm
2. Valid ID
3. Plate number of the vehicle to be used (if coming with a private vehicle)