The Jordan Family of the San Gabriel Philippines Stake (Diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, bagged the “Best In Zonal Gardening” Award in the recently concluded Sorbetes [Ice Cream] Festival for their example of self-reliance and ingenuity.
It is the third year that Barangay Sto. Domingo in Biñan, Laguna, hosted the Sorbetes Festival in bid to promote locally made ice cream, which the village is known for.
Their winning entry was a video presentation of their family showing the benefits of growing their own vegetable garden and inventing a special lettuce ice cream flavor.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
According to Jennifer Jordan, the mother, the contest’s criteria were based on two factors: an existing garden with a minimum lot size of five square meters and a video that highlighted the theme of the contest, “Ang Kahalagahan ng Pagtatanim sa Panahon ng Pandemia” [The Importance of Planting During the Pandemic].
“Who would have thought that our love for gardening and our creativity will help us win a barangay contest?” declared Jennifer Jordan with pride. Beating four other competing entries in their barangay, the Jordan Family won the highest award. Jennifer said that they intend to use the prize money to expand and improve their garden.
When asked what inspired them to make lettuce-flavored ice cream, Jennifer explained that it was due to quarantine restrictions. They wanted to make healthy desserts that their children can enjoy even while on lockdown.
Fortunately for the family, they did not have to look far for inspiration as they only had to survey their garden and handpick vegetables they could turn in to ice cream.
Journey to Self-Reliance
The Jordan Family thought it a blessing in disguise when in January 2017 a fire burned down their family’s compound. The incident created a large patch of land where they could cultivate their own vegetables. This led the family to learn hydroponics, a new technology beneficial in urban gardening.
Soon after, they were able to plant and grow okra, pechay and lemon grass. As their garden grew, so were the variety of vegetables growing in their garden. It was not long when they started planting basil, pak choi, and lettuce.
This family’s self-reliance story did not end there, though. Looking to expand their livelihood, the Jordan couple began learning how to make sorbetes, which is a well-known product in their hometown in their barangay.
“Our family is grateful for the Self-Reliance program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said Jennifer. “As members of the Church, we are encouraged to grow our own vegetables to help sustain our needs.”
About Self-Reliance
One of the core principles that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches its members is the importance of self-reliance. According to past Church President, Thomas S. Monson, being self-reliant is “the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family.”
As Church members become self-reliant, they become better able to serve and care for others as well. The Jordan Family is one of the thousands of Latter-day Saint families in the Philippines who have seen the value of being self-reliant during the pandemic, and are reaping the blessings for having started their self-reliance journey.