Rooted in Tradition:

At the heart of AYANA Farm is our dedicated team of farmers, who play a crucial role in our operations. Many of our farmers come from Eastern Indonesia, including Flores, where AYANA Komodo is located. This initiative aims to empower local communities by providing skilled farmers with opportunities to enhance their expertise in sustainable practices while recognizing their traditional agricultural knowledge.

Among our team members is Pak Putra, the farm team leader. His journey from his native Sumbawa to AYANA Farm exemplifies this blend of traditional practices and modern sustainable efforts.

Putra’s journey began in Sumbawa, where he was born into a farming family. His childhood was filled with agricultural activities centered around a variety of crops, such as soybeans, corn, rice, and candlenuts. “In my community, most people are farmers,” Putra recalls. “We formed farmer groups to share traditional knowledge.” He learned age-old techniques, such as Penanaman tugal, which involves using bamboo sticks for planting seeds, and using water buffalo instead of tractors for fieldwork. 

While many in his community have adopted more modern agricultural techniques, Putra appreciates the lasting significance of traditional farming methods. These approaches often prioritize using local resources and reusing materials. For example, instead of using plastic sheets to cover vegetable beds for moisture retention and weed suppression, AYANA farm opts for rice straw, a more environmentally friendly alternative.

When Putra was 11 years old, he and his family moved to Flores, leaving behind their farm. However, his passion for agriculture remained strong. He pursued his agricultural studies at university in Yogyakarta, focusing on open-field cultivation. His commitment to farming ultimately led him to AYANA Farm when the opportunity arose to be part of AYANA’s organic farm in Bali. This role allows him to engage in farming while teaching others about sustainable agricultural practices and the importance of organic farming.

As Team Leader, Putra follows a structured daily routine that begins with a morning briefing with the farm team. “We discuss our tasks for the day and inspect all areas for pests and diseases,” he explains. In organic farming, it’s crucial to quickly identify and manage any issues.

Since we refrain from using chemical interventions at the farm, we implement various pest management strategies to minimize damage from pests. One effective method is the manual removal of harmful insects. “In the mornings, we look for pests such as red pumpkin beetles on cucumbers, squashes and melons, as well as caterpillars on corn,” Putra shares. The farm team also creates organic pesticides from our vegetables, like spring onion and chili, and installs pheromone traps for fruit flies to maintain ecological balance.

After the morning farm inspection, the team then shifts focus to harvesting for the hotel’s restaurants and bars, prioritizing delicate ingredients like edible flowers and herbs that require immediate delivery. AYANA Farm harvests twice daily, ensuring that seasonal produce reaches our culinary team within hours after being picked. Guests experience this commitment to freshness right from check-in, where they are welcomed with a refreshing roselle drink and a frangipani garland. This farm-to-table approach is further reflected in signature dishes like the AYANA Farm Salad, revitalizing Detox Juice, and the delightful Lemongrass Crème Brûlée.

To maintain rich, healthy soils, the farm has its own compost facility to create three types of compost: hot compost, worm compost, and compost tea. This integrated composting approach utilizes a variety of materials sourced from within the AYANA property, collected regularly by our farmers. This includes vegetable and fruit scraps from our kitchens, coffee grounds from our bar teams, horse manure from our stables, fallen leaves from the property and wood chips from renovation projects. This is one of the many sustainable practices at AYANA Farm. The composting process not only enhances soil health but also provides an important opportunity to educate guests about how we maintain our crops and mini ecosystem.

Engaging with guests is one of the highlights of Putra’s role at AYANA Farm. He enjoys introducing visitors to the plant nursery and explaining the process from soil to seedlings. “Guests appreciate learning about our method for creating root balls from worm compost for our seedlings,” he notes. The complimentary Root Ball Farm Experience allows guests to engage directly with farming practices, fostering a deeper connection to the food they eat and the environment. 

Another area Putra likes to show guests is the edible flower garden, which serves multiple functions in our agricultural practices. “In the early mornings and late afternoons this area is full of life,” he says. The flowers naturally attract beneficial insects like bees, dragonflies, and butterflies, along with various birds, creating a balanced ecosystem that supports the farm. These blooms also make their way to our restaurants and bars, where they add a decorative and bright touch to our dishes.

Putra finds particular enjoyment in working with the herb garden, which presents its own set of challenges due to the local environment. “Some herbs thrive at higher elevations, so adapting them here is a learning process,” he explains. Monitoring pests can also prove difficult, but he finds it rewarding to apply his critical thinking skills. “In this section, pests are harder to manage, making it more interesting to solve those challenges,” he reflects.

AYANA Farm stands as a model of sustainable agriculture that honors traditional practices. Putra’s journey from Sumbawa to AYANA Farm illustrates the significant impact of community, education, and sustainable farming. As the farm continues to flourish, it sets an example for others, demonstrating the importance of preserving heritage while nourishing the land for future generations.

Beyond daily operations, AYANA Farm functions as an educational center, offering workshops and immersive experiences for guests. The Guidepost Montessori School is located on the farm, allowing young learners to connect with agriculture by growing their own vegetables. With guidance from our farmers, they learn essential skills such as soil preparation, planting, maintenance, and harvesting. Additionally, Green Camp AYANA visits the farm in their outdoor education programs, further enriching the learning experience. This emphasis on education and innovation ensures that AYANA Farm continuously evolves, adapting its practices in response to new insights, guest feedback, and community engagement.

With a focus on promoting a deeper understanding of agriculture, sustainability, and community, AYANA Farm goes beyond traditional farming methods. It nurtures knowledge, fosters connections, and supports growth—both in its plants and its people. With the dedication of Pak Putra and the entire farm team, we cultivate not only crops but also a meaningful connection to the land and its resources. Each interaction with our guests promotes awareness of sustainability and community engagement, reinforcing the idea that everyone involved contributes to the farm’s mission.