In many countries, such as the Philippines, agriculture remains to be one of the primary sources of their Gross Domestic Product. This is the reason why many companies have dedicated their efforts into the research and discovery of agricultural technologies. One such company is headed by Josh Calata, president and CEO of the largest distributor of B-Meg feeds in the country. One of the youngest and most successful businessmen in the Philippines, Josh Calata is on the forefront of introducing these agricultural improvements. Despite his young age, he believes that agriculture has the greatest potential that will propel the Philippine economy. In order to realize this potential, his company has partnered with other companies such as Monsanto, Sinochem, DuPont Agriculture, Jardine Distribution, Bayer CropScience and Syngenta Global.

The products of these companies seek to help crops grow better. They produce seeds that are genetically modified. These seeds offer better defense against a variety of pests and herbicides. They are able to handle diverse agro-climatic conditions and changing weather. They also give increased nutritional value compared to the traditional seeds.

Plants are not the only ones who benefit from these products. They also help farmers in gaining more revenue and profit. As their harvested crops are better and more nutritious, they can sell them at a better value. For a country like the Philippines, these products are truly precious to farmers.

The other products of these companies develop plants’ tolerance to drought and stress. These companies have also tackled Vitamin A deficiency in rice and how it can be solved. The International Rice Research Institute or IRRI, has actually developed ‘golden rice’ which they hope will be the solution they are looking for.

With Josh Calata and his company distributing these products all over the country, they are definitely helping the country both in the micro and macroeconomic level. Let’s all hope that they continue producing and distributing such products, because quite frankly the world needs to get a lot greener.

Mr. Joseph Calata heads the biggest distributor of B-Meg feeds in the country. Capitalizing on the potential of the Philippines’ agricultural sector, he has skyrocketed himself towards success. However, his successes are not for him alone, as his efforts has also helped farmers and the country’s economy along the way.

- Alison Ward

Mr. Joseph Calata is one of the youngest and most successful Filipino businessmen. He is the CEO of the largest distributing company of B-Meg feeds in the country, a corporation that he renamed after his family. Aside from that, his company also spearheads the introduction of newly developed agricultural technologies to local farmers, helping them improve their livelihood.

An example of his new technologies are the genetically modified seeds. These seeds are more invulnerable to pests and herbicides. This lessens the chances of their crops dying so it means that they’ll be able to harvest more when the time comes. More harvest means more produce means more income.

These seeds also offer crops with more nutritional value. This makes them more desirable than crops that were harvested from traditional seeds. Also, they are more capable of coping with harsh weather conditions present in South East Asian countries like the Philippines which has a diverse agro-climate. Again, this serves to benefit farmers and their profit.

These are the reasons why the Philippine government has educated farmers all over about the wonders of these seeds. They have also pushed local formers to start using golden rice. It is believed that golden rice will solve the lack of Vitamin A found in current rice crops. And as rice is the staple food in the country, it’s very important that the government can solve this as soon as possible.

Mr. Joseph Calata and his company also distributes products that assist plants as they grow. These products seek to help plants defend against drought, stress, pests and weeds among other things. These pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators and seed treatments are all helpful in making plants grow better.

Mr. Joseph Calata though, is not alone in trying to help the country realize the potential of its agricultural sector. His company has partnered with international companies such as DuPont Agriculture, Monsanto, Syngenta Global, Bayer CropScience, Sinochem and Jardine Distribution. These companies are dedicating all their efforts for a much greener a world and frankly, a much better place to live in.

Joseph Calata heads the company responsible for introducing agricultural developments in the Philippines. They have provided farmers with new agricultural products such as the genetically modified seed. They have also provided them with other products that help with plant growth.

- Alison Ward

Joseph Calata is the individual who is responsible for bringing technology and research to agriculture and the farming community. The young very chairman and CEO of Calata Corporation, a family business in Bulacan, has built an empire for himself and his family at the young age of thirty. The once small family company rang in a revenue of P1.8 billion last 2009 and 2010.

Jos, as he is fondly called, the young businessman, took part in the family business back in 2001 where he introduced technology to the system. He managed to computerize the operations and tighten their credit and collections. This in turn created a better type of networking with agricultural suppliers and farmers. A few years later, he started reaping in the cash after taking over the family business.

Joseph Calata, the city slicker, has no problem getting his polished leather shoes dirty to check up on the farmers in the fields. He seemingly effortlessly makes his sales in agrochemicals, fertilizers and other products which are used in farming. Beyond this, he would like to go bigger and aim for nationwide sales. This feat does not seem very far for the individual who is very determined.

Being able to turn a mom-and-pop business in to the largest distributor for agricultural products in the nation comes as no surprise for the young businessman. Turning the company operations automated was a very smart move. He knew that by utilizing the technology around him, he could gain more sales and better organize the company.

By rigorously developing a sales and marketing program that was better equipped for this fast-paced world, Joseph Calata was able to keep up with the times. Creating a technology-based system of operation put the business ahead. By creating a system which is more efficient, the company is now able to expand and employ more staff, growing the country’s economic productivity. It was a move like this that enabled Calata Corp grow in terms of business.

The business, Calata Corporation, now proudly employs over 200 people. This opens up to a lot of people, giving individuals more opportunities for employment, and helping farmers across the nation. The young businessman now takes part in other investments which are outside agriculture, yet he still has his game in his roots.

The company, Calata Corporation was once a mom-and-pop run business before the young business tycoon, Joseph Calata, took over. Jos started out as a clerk in 2001 when he began automating the system of operating within the company. This very smart move made the small business in to the largest distributor of agriculture products in the nation today. The company is still vastly growing and looking to a brighter future, thanks to young Jos.

- Alison Ward

Recently my husband and I moved into our dream home. It was exciting just to get into it. We now had high vaulted ceilings and a gorgeous fireplace. Everything was as perfect as could be, and it was our dream come true. The only problem was that the yard was bare and needed something.

I am not much of a gardener, but I wanted to do something that would really give it a beautiful landscape to match the gorgeous inside of the house. My friend said I should try dwarf fruit trees. Shrugging, I told her that I hadn’t the foggiest idea what that was.

She showed me a picture online of the cutest little apple trees you could ever imagine, and I instantly loved the idea. After doing some research, I found that they didn’t need very much maintenace apart from something for support. I was excited now. Dwarf fruit trees are easier to protect from things like frost and birds than the larger kinds of fruit trees, and they don’t need much pruning.

So after planning out the layout of the trees and getting several different varieties, my husband and I set to work. It didn’t take long, and we planted a nice little row of them to stand behind the lower plants in my planned garden. I spaced them about 18 inches apart, and used stakes to hold them in place.

After that, we planted some lower standing plants and flowers. Now when I have guests stop by my home, they are treated to the sight of cute little fruit trees full of bright fruit and gorgeous color– not to mention my other cheery flowers. I’m in love with those dwarf fruit trees, and I’m so glad my friend gave me the suggestion!

Visit Fruit Tree Nursery and get the tips you need to make taking care of Dwarf Fruit Trees not only easy, but also fun. Plus we got some other great fruit tree advice as well.

- Candace Right

On your journey discovering how to build a pond, I am sure you have come to the realization that ponds are not exactly cheap to build. I am here to help you solve that dilemma by sharing some great ways to build a pond that looks great and doesn’t burst your budget.

How to build a pond without spending too much:

1.Find a great spot in your yard. Avoid areas under trees where leaves will fall into the pond. You want to be able to see your pond from your house so put it near a window or deck with a view.

2.Purchase a small kiddy pool that is the size of the pond you want. You can get these for less than 10 dollars, and it’s a great cheat for how to build a pool easily. You can also usually find these in great shapes that will make your pond very pretty. Some of them are fish, stars, or seashells.

3.Next, place the pool in the area that you will be putting your pond, and mark around it. Dig the hole using the markings for guides. Then you simply place the kiddy pool inside. Make sure the hole is just deep enough to leave the kiddy pool lip about 1-2 inches above the ground.

4.Now get out your spray paint and paint the whole pool black and let it sit overnight to dry.

5.Add in a pump and filter to keep things flowing so the water does not go stagnant. Although it is not 100% necessary, your fish will be much happier.

6.The next step in learning how to build a pond is to add a few heavy rocks around the edges of the pool. Then you can add gravel if you’re planning on putting plants in the pond.

7.Finally, fill the pool full of water. You are finished! You just completed a pond and saved money at the same time. It is not too hard to build a pond that looks great and doesn’t cost too much. If you want, put some nice flat rocks around the sides and plant some flower. This gives off a beautiful and natural look.

Use the tips above to build a pond without cursing at the cost. Visit HowToBuildAPond.net for free videos, tips and advice on How to Build a Pond.

- Amy C

Have you heard about Dutch Gardening yet? According to Wikipedia, “The Dutch garden is distinguished by its dense atmosphere and efficient use of space. On an international level, a garden with tulips is also easily labeled as a Dutch Garden.”

In order to make the best use of light and space, placement of flowers in the Dutch garden is non-linear and informal.

Because the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries, gardens are generally small - and because houses are placed right next to each other, there is not very much light available. Because of these restrictions, a distinguished style of garden design emerged.

It sounds like Dutch Gardening is not that different than Square Foot Gardening except that in Dutch Gardening there are no little squares to put plants in. At least, that’s what I thought at first after reading the online dictionary explanation of a typical Dutch garden.

However, Dutch Gardens in the Middle Ages (500 - 1550) were more functional than pretty. They usually consisted of vegetables, fruits and herbs. These gardens were square or slightly elongated rectangle, and usually divided by a cross-shaped path with something placed in the center of the cross (like a water feature or tree). This square shape was then subdivided into smaller beds to separate the plantings (is this starting to sound familiar yet?)

The Dutch Classical Garden (1630 - 1690) was also a big hit. This time, gardeners everywhere started to incorporate designs into the gardens. The Dutch classical garden was surrounded by walls, or hedges. It was then divided into several mazes, shapes and designs. Low growing ornamental plants were used during this time period, mostly thyme, carnations, chamomile and other flowering plants.

It was not usually a matter of whether to use water features and fountains, but rather where to place them. Normally, they were slightly hidden in the flora so people thought they were finding something special when they noticed them. These gardens could be very elaborate, and always very beautiful!

Today, there are a few different recommended plants for this garden, if you’re serious about putting a little Dutch culture into your garden; here are the sort of plants to consider:

Tulips, Anemones, Calla Lily, Narcissus, Roses, Snowdrops, Crocuses.

I was surprised to see Roses on the list because my roses tend to grow tall and out of control sometimes. You will have to remember to select the smaller varieties in order to maintain the small space gardening concept.

I think the largest Dutch Garden is the Keukenhof Garden in Lisse, Holland. If you ever get to Holland, it’s a must see!

Most of the pictures of Dutch gardens that I’ve seen have seen are very colorful, which is why they are so popular. In some gardens, there are quite a few colors put together in a very small space. Most of them include several varieties of blue flowers as separators, making the reds and yellows really stand out!

The pictures of Dutch Gardens usually have blue flowers as dividers, I can’t wait to put some of those in my garden!

I’m really not sure where the “informal” part comes from in the online description. It seems to me that the colors and plants are all plotted carefully to make a visually appealing Dutch garden. If photographed, many of them would make an excellent picture for over the fireplace.

One possibility is because there are a lot of plants in one space; I’m just not sure, but what I do know is that a small Dutch garden will appear someplace in our yard this year!

Find more Advice on Square Foot Gardening, Container Gardening and Small Space Gardening at the Garden Blog: http://www.squarefootgardeningtips.com/blog and visit the Web Site at: www.squarefootgardeningtips.com

- Evelyn Grazini

Dreams are made true at your local flower shops. When you buy a new house, your relatives or friends can send you their congratulations and regards with housewarming gifts from local flower shops. These beautiful flowers allow you to decorate your new home in a fresh way.

Avoid cheaply designed flowers from grocery stores or gas stations. Generally they sit in a refrigerator long past their prime. Wilted flowers, surrounded by dried leaves send a message, just not the one you were hoping for. Take few extra minutes to buy from local flower shops.

Online flower shops can keep track of flowers, arrangements and styles that you regularly buy. This is a convenient way of selecting flowers that are your favorite. Choosing arrangements that fit with seasons and events can give your home a festive feel.

In ordering flowers for someone, the process involves getting the flower shops that are closest to the customer connected to the order. The national service which is contacted via the 800 number or website finds their local affiliate nearest the recipient. The flower shop at that location then prepares and transports the flowers to the desired address.

Often times real estate agents congratulate new homeowners by giving them a floral arrangement. Nothing brightens a new home like fresh cheap flowers in a basket, bowl or vase. The gift of flowers is not only thoughtful, but strengthens the relationship between the client and agent.

In a new home, flowers can be an easy way to accent and decorate most rooms. For example, a dining room can have a formal setting in a tall vase and be placed in the center of the table. Smaller arrangements make beautiful accents when placed on a side table or window sill.

There are different flower arrangements for each season of the year with select colors, and decorations to match the season. In summer there are long-stemmed flowers sporting bright colored petals, but in spring there are many types of flowers with decorations such as butterflies. In the fall you may find rusty colors with bright orange, usually found in flowers like chrysanthemums, but in winter, a dish of forced bulbs may be found showing spring is soon to come.

When you buy a new house, your relatives or friends can send you their congratulations and regards with housewarming gifts from trusted flower shops. These beautiful flowers allow you to decorate your new home in a fresh way. It is always best to buy fresh flowers. Flowers with dried leaves or wilted flowers are past their prime because they sit in refrigeration longer than recommended. If you looking to buy discount or cheap flowers, then buy from a reputable store and you will always make a wise purchase. Flowers are a versatile accessory that can coordinate with the decor and style of any room in the home.

- Aurelia Fleur

Kitchen cabinet ideas are just about endless; there are hundreds of different options for your cabinets.

But how big do you want this project to be? That’s the first thing to decide. Are you going to tear out the cabinets and give the kitchen a completely new look, or are you simply touching things up?

If you can’t afford to spend too much on remodeling, your best option is a refinish. Take off the cabinet doors and their hardware, and go to it! Once you’ve prepped the surfaces, you can do a simple stain or paint, or go more in-depth with a multi-step finish.

Another option is cabinet refronting. You’ll find many companies out there that specialize in this. How does this process work? It means you leave the bare bones of the cabinets where they are.

However, the installers will take down the doors and front faces of the cabinetry and replace them with a design you’ve chosen from their inventory. What this does is it gives you a completely look look for your kitchen without the cost and hassle of replacing the cabinets entirely.

What if you want to rip the whole thing out and buy new cabinets? Don’t worry, there are still thousands of kitchen cabinet ideas to look into. Do your research, especially if you’re new to installing cabinets and would rather do it yourself.

As a matter of fact, it would be wise to get advice from an experienced installer first who can tell you about the nuances of cabinet installation. On the other hand, you could always get someone else to install them for you.

There are lots of places to go if you want to choose new cabinets. You can look around online for great deals. Browse through some of the beautiful online showrooms by cabinetry makers.

Large home improvement stores have a great selection of cabinets, in all different styles, from contemporary to traditional. Even some discount stores and home products retailers have options for new cabinets. Specialty stores will have an even larger selection of kitchen cabinet ideas. You never know what you’ll find, so be sure to shop around!

Looking for more Kitchen Design Ideas? Visit Home Remodeling Ideas for all the ideas you need for remodeling your home including Basement Remodel Ideas.

- Christine Julianne

Although many people associate their backyard with little more than “yard work”, a backyard really ought to be a place where you can relax and have fun. There are a variety of wonderful ways that you can take your backyard and spice it up for some fun and relaxation. Interested in utilizing a backyard design to make your yard a better place? Here are at least three excellent ways to help you add beauty and spice to your backyard.

Way #1 - Add a Fountain - One of the easiest ways to add instant beauty and atmosphere to your backyard is to add a fountain. You might prefer a large fountain, or maybe a little one. Regardless of your preference, there are lots of beautiful options to choose from. A fountain will add beauty and tranquility to your yard and you’ll be able to sit out back and relax enjoying the soothing sounds of the fountain.

Way #2 - Add a Water Garden - Noticing a theme here? Water is soothing, and a water garden is another wonderful way to beautify your backyard. As long as you place water gardens in the right place, they don’t require much upkeep and they are most beautiful. You can put fish in the water garden as well as some beautiful plants to enjoy.

Way #3 - Add a Bird Feeder - If you love watching the antics of birds, you’ll really enjoy having a bird feeder in your yard as well. Birds make a backyard look cheery and no doubt you’ll have some fun watching the birds as they gather around your new bird feeder.

There are lots of ideas out there to improve your backyard design, and these are just a few to keep in mind. Whether you choose one or all three, you’ll definitely find your backyard a more beautiful and restful place to enjoy.

Visit Backyard Design and get great tips on Backyard Landscape and Backyard Ideas.

- Christine Julianne

Garden sheds serve as a wonderful place to store bulky items that you can no longer fit inside your house. They can be purchased from many popular stores, and they’re not too hard to put together. Another benefit is that they are durable in almost all types of weather.

Some garden sheds may not suite your specific needs. Before purchasing one be sure to read all the relevant information on the label and take the cost into consideration. Be careful not to base your purchase selection solely on the price! Economy is no guarantee of quality, and a cheap garden sheds may not be worth what you pay.

Or, you can go about it using the traditional method, hammering nails into boards. It’s not the best idea for a rookie, however. If you’ve built this sort of item before you’ll have a much better idea of how to do it. On the other hand, if you are not a highly capable builder, you really should simply pay to purchase a prefabricated structure like one of the garden sheds we have just discussed.

These convenient little structures have all sorts of uses. Clearly, one might use storage sheds for lawn garden. They’re an ideal way to keep your garden tools and expensive equipment out of the elements and safe from thieves. Further, if there are lots of windows in your garden shed, you can use it as a “greenhouse” (garden sun houses sheds) to temporarily house your perennials.

There are additional uses for garden sheds that may not occur to you immediately. For example, they make fantastic clubhouses for children. Kids adore having a space of their own, and it’s still in the safety of your own yard, so you can keep an eye on them. If you think it’s too pricy for that, consider that you can’t put a price on your child’s safety or on your own peace of mind.

Another possible use is general storage. Are you getting ready for a yard sale? Are you all packed and ready to move, with no place to store your belongings? One of these is the ideal solution: it protects your belongings from the elements, gets them out of your road, and even has a lock on the door to keep thieves out! Really, the things you can do with garden sheds are limitless.

If you are looking for more storage space outside your home, investigate garden sheds. You could build one yourself, or purchase one at a store if you are not confident in your own abilities. Be sure to monitor the quality carefully and to think about which kind of shed you need. Garden sun houses sheds are one kind that you may wish to consider, or you may prefer storage sheds for lawn garden situations. Sheds have many functions, can be locked for safety, and give your yard and house a much neater appearance.

- Adriana Copaceanu