Sheena Glea Reyes: The Teacher Farmer


Growing up, I witnessed my father farming a small parcel of land my grandfather had entrusted to him. It was in the year 2021 that I first discovered hydroponics, the modern way of farming.

sheena's farm
Growing up, I witnessed my father farming a small parcel of land my grandfather had entrusted to him. It was in the year 2021 that I first discovered hydroponics, the modern way of farming.

World Did Not Stop After the Operation

I underwent a major operation in October 2021. During my recuperation, as I was scrolling through my news feed, I came across a post regarding this method. I became curious and wanted to try it since no one in our town is selling lettuce and I know that there is a high demand for this product.

Moreover, the Philippines was greatly influenced by K-pop artists, Korean dramas, and the famous Samgyupsal. This inspired the idea of starting my own small backyard lettuce garden.

Benefits of Greenhouse

Global warming has a diverse and profound effect on agriculture. The continuous rise in temperature in the environment greatly affects the growth and development of crops, even if they are grown inside a greenhouse. So, what I did was elevate the ceiling of the grow area to minimize direct heat coming from the sun. In addition to that, a well-ventilated greenhouse can produce quality lettuce. 

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Reyes also grows different varieties of cucumbers, peppers, and herbs on her backyard farm.

Learning is indeed a continuous and lifelong process. It doesn't end with formal education; instead, it evolves and takes different forms throughout one's life. As long as we are willing to adapt to change, we can never go wrong with the things we want to achieve in life.

Incorporating Technological Advancements

What I envision my farm to be in the future is to continuously provide quality, safe, and pesticide-free lettuces that the people in the community enjoy. Moreover, I want to incorporate technological advancements into my farm, like sensors, automated nutrient solution dispensers, and artificial intelligence.

Hydroponics has the potential to integrate with sustainable farming practices. By using recycled water, optimizing nutrient use, and reducing the need for chemical inputs, hydroponics can contribute to more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.