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April 29, 2014

Our Customers Are Not Just Humans!

Hi all !

The highlight of the day!

Look at my long and silky hair ! That is the reason why i want to eat deboned frog meat ! :D — Look at my long and silky hair ! That is the reason why i want to eat deboned frog meat !
😀

YAY !! Daddy is getting me the deboned frog meat , i want to eat a lot because i want my hair to be as silky as Junior's ^_^ — YAY !! Daddy is getting me the deboned frog meat , i want to eat a lot because i want my hair to be as silky as Junior’s ^_^

Meet these 2 cute little furballs! Their owner brought them to the farm to purchase our DEBONED FROG MEAT. This product is vacummed packed in 200g/300g.

Initially, we explored deboning frog meat for our consumers’ convenience but one fine day, many customers where referred by a veterinarian called the farm and told us that frog meat is good for dogs with skin condition; furthermore, it can improve the dogs’ fur quality.

Look at bobby, our farm dog

Prep For Dogs: Thaw the meat and mix with mashed sweet potato.

Prep For Human : Thaw the meat, add it into porridge and make sure you bring it to a boil.

Looking forward to be of service to more pooches at JFF!! 😀

Before I end this off,

April 23, 2014

Frog Girl’s First Post On Good Friday !

Hi everyone! This is Frog Girl in the house !

Jurong Frog Farm was swamped last weekend especially on Good Friday holiday!

We experienced a heavy down pour in the midst of conducting a tour. It was a challenging experience because it is not easy to manage the crowd and most importantly there was quite a number of children and elderly! My colleagues and i were so afraid they might slip/trip! But luckily, there were a few kind souls who assisted me along the way with the crowd control while I have to serve one of the tours with our JFF deep fried frog meat and Royal Hashima dessert.

On that day, we could only have lunch at 4pm!
It was really busy. But, i’m glad that i enjoyed it.

Before I end this off,

My name is Anna and I am the FROG GIRL in JFF!

April 9, 2014May 11, 2016

Fracts # 7- FROGS ARE LIVING DEAD?!?!

Why do we say that frogs are living dead? Taking the American Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) as an example, they will hibernate/estivate but they will not spend the winter the way aquatic turtles do, digging into the mud at the bottom of a pond or stream. In fact, hibernating frogs would suffocate if they dug into the mud for long period of time. These hibernacula are not as well protected from frigid weather and may freeze, along with their inhabitants.

But frogs do not die! Because they can Antifreeze! Ice crystals form in such places as the body cavity and bladder and under the skin, but a high concentration of glucose in the frog’s vital organs prevents freezing.

A partially frozen frog will stop breathing, and its heart will stop beating. It will appear quite dead. But when the hibernaculum warms up above freezing, the frog’s frozen portions will thaw, and its heart and lungs resume activity. That is why the frogs are being called living dead.

Similarly, frogs also undergo estivation aka Aestivation which is a state of animal dormancy, also when animal is inactive and have a lowered metabolic rate, that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions. For example, the prolonged dry season in certain tropical regions.

stay tuned for Fracts #8!
FROGIRL signing off ~

Disclaimer: All pictures copyright to their respective owner(s). jurongfrogfarm.com.sg does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed on this site unless stated otherwise. jurongfrogfarm.com.sg does not knowingly intend or attempt to offend or violate any copyright or intellectual property rights of any entity. Some images used on jurongfrogfarm.com.sg are taken from the web and believed to be in the public domain. The pictures are provided for educational purposes only.

If any images posted here are in violation of copyright law, please contact us (events@jurongfrogfarm.com.sg) and we will gladly remove the offending images immediately upon receipt of valid proof of copyright infringement.

Sources:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-frogs-survive-wint/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aestivation

March 19, 2014

Let’s Be Explorers of the World!

“At any given moment, no matter where you are, there are hundreds of things around you that are interesting and worth documenting.” – Keri Smith

A few weeks ago, We chanced upon this book “How to Be an Explorer of World: Portable Life Museum” by Keri Smith through Frogologist’s recommendation. The book struck a chord with me as the author highlights how the working adults become increasingly desensitised to their surroundings once they grew up. They lost their childhood curiosity and stopped exploring the world around them. The author thus encourages readers to make a change in their lives and cease looking past things that are right in front of their eyes. Put on the shoes as scientists. Collect various seemingly mundane items. Analyse and see if they can discover any similarities or patterns from there.

Don’t you think that this book is also actually applicable for children living in this current era? Computers, handphones, ipads… these technological devices have so successfully invaded into our lifestyles that they now form as a staple in our lives. Kids no longer act like kids. The education curriculum and highly competitive society dictate that children have to focus most of their time on studies, tuitions, or additional extra-curriculum such as swimming or ballet.

Where were the times where children got to interact with their habitats? Where they get to climb trees or catch spiders? Or get into a longkang and shrill happily as the fish they just grasped slip away from their hands? That is why it is important in this increasingly hectic society, farms tucked away in the little rural north-western corner of Singapore still exist. Farms like Hay Dairies Goat Farm, Bollywood Veggies, and JFF (us!) give the city kids a chance to experience nature albeit in a different way.

We love it whenever children come to JFF and participate in our especially tailored workshops for them. The way they widen their eyes in wonder when they see a frog close-up, squeal with excitement when they gather their courage and touch the frog with one finger, or furrow their eyebrows with deep concentration to catch tadpoles… Being able to witness their expressions is our privilege and it heartens us that we are able to see this during our stint in JFF 🙂

(Put on your bandana too and start your journey today!)
So let us all be explorers of the world and start looking things around us with a brand new perspective! It is never too late to start whether you’re a child or an adult.

Signing off,
Rebecca & Shirley
Exploring In Progress

February 25, 2014

Story of the Homemade Salted Eggs

Good news! If you have been following JFF’s facebook posts, you would have known that our resident pet duck, Tamago, has started laying eggs ( basically 1 a day!) since the 5th day of CNY! Have you seen the size of our duck eggs?
The first on the left was the first born and by the 3rd and 4th day, there were huumongooous..(!!)

A pleasant surprise 😉 as 3 of the bigger eggs turned out ALL double yolks!! Hoorray!!

As we explored on preservation methods, naturally a salty idea crystallized in my mind. Why not try Salted Duck Eggs? Luckily around us in this Kranji kampung are all farming veterans! Below is the essence we gathered from several sources.

Step 1: Add sea salt into a pot of water till the mixture is saturated to your preferred level of taste. Boil it to sterilise this brine solution.

Step 2: Cool the solution to room temperature and pour it into a jar.

Step 3: Add in fresh duck eggs into the jar and leave them for up to 3 weeks. ( be reminded that the longer eggs are left in this brine, the saltier it will be!)

Step 4: Take the eggs out when you’re hungry and boil them.(Eggs now can be kept for another 2 weeks!)

They now can be consumed best with chok ( congee) and some braised peanuts, we would imagine!

This experiment started on 19/2/14. We’ll give you our first hand report on the 12/3/14 after we taste this first salty harvest! ;D

Meanwhile, stay tuned and wish us duck luck!

Sources of recipes: Thanks to Gentle Warrior from BV, Uncle William the Quail and Frog King’s (aka founder of JFF) kakis round the corner of lane 6.
Metamorphosed by: Rebecca, Froggie sweetie 🙂
Transformed & posted by: Frogologist

January 13, 2014

“A Leap of Faith” in The ALUM NUS

Always grateful to my Alma Matar, National University of Singapore, which has exposed me to the challenges of modules from different faculties during my education there; later able to solve more complicated issues in the School of Life; and for being the impetus in my desire to join JFF right after graduation.

Also a heartfelt thank you to the many valuable friendships made with lecturers and the fellow classmates from all the different tutorials and the opportunities which has since opened up to me as a graduate from NUS.

Lastly thank you for featuring my humble story in a frog farm in this Issue 96 of Alumni Magazine.

Much Gratitude,
Chelsea the Frogologist

December 31, 2013

Ending a Splendid 2013 with 3 teeth yanked out and a revelation!

Got a revelation when I had my wisdom teeth extracted before X’mas this year. It wasn’t about the process of the extraction. It’s the trepidation that you will be getting 3 of your biggest teeth yanked out by a person whom you had only met briefly prior to the surgery. The last thing I was told before I entered the clinic was, ‘Dear, remember this. You are always scared but you always do it.’ The words of my fiancé.

He is right. Even in 2006, I decided to walk into JFF knowing full well that this is going to an extremely slimy business. And I have to admit. It’s ain’t easy. Many challenges I have faced then, I’m still trying to grapple with them now.

Even up till last week, I was telling my customers I’m not the boss la. I’m working for my father. Simply put, all I wanted to do when I decided to join this company was to help my father and make things better and perhaps easier for him!

I realized that my aspirations then have been clouded by the challenges in this second generation business. The short land leases, old school employees, working methods and processes, even the very location of this farm which made it hard for hiring. Day to day activities became fire fighting!

What are my aspirations?
I wanted JFF to be part of every child’s learning journey; not only to learn about the magical world of American bullfrogs but also to know of this part of Singapore’s agriculture history that JFF has grew in the name of progress and prosperity in Singapore. In another words, I wanted JFF to be well known. I wanted my father’s hard work into building Singapore’s only frog farm to be known to all Singaporeans through their children.

Now growing up with frogs, it was generally assumed that I must be a good swimmer. But I’m not. I only know basic strokes and to stay afloat by lying on my back. Yet, I have rafted 40 km down Zambezi River, floated along with crocodiles basking in the sun. In this picture, the raft has turned turtle and i’ve already been thrown into the meciless choppy water.

Plunged into the Devils Pool on top of Victoria Falls.

For land adventures, I have also trekked up fox glacier in New Zealand,

climbed up Table Mountain (3563 ft) through the Skeleton Gorge (a amazing albeit gruelling 5.5 hrs of trotting, rock climbing, hiking, trudging!)

I have also trekked up Mount Ophir this year; Walk barefooted in rivers to hunt for caves and dive down sand dunes in Vietnam. Who would say no to a good adventure!!

Each of these activities, i have walked in with trepidation, yet walking out feeling victorious. In short, now with 3 teeth lesser, I’m going to face 2014 with even greater courage and now taking more ownership to reach out to more people about the existence of this farm and its heritage.

The next time you see me in JFF, I’m going to tell you I’m heading the department of Frogologists. (:

Enjoy the remaining hours of 2013 and lets’ all face 2014 with grit and make next year truly an adventure of a lifetime!!

p.s. obviously there is a hint of Mitty in this post! Watch the movie and be as inspired!;)

Best,
Chelsea Wan
Frogologist of JFF ( Head)

December 18, 2013

HO HO HO! Do you want to have an ECO-FRIENDLY X’MAS this Year?

Now, how is it possible to have a X’MAS that coexists with ECO-FRIENDLY? They are not really friends. But what can we do to defuse the tension in this over-consumerised period where wherever you go, you get BIG signs which shout at you “BUY BUY BUY!”.

Now Frogs are Green and they are a constant reminder to us on how we should practise 3Rs when making daily purchasing decisions.

Today, we will give u a recipe to reuse all the paper bags you have accumulated over this year or for many of you throughout many years! * Don’t try to kid yourself that it will come in handy on other days, because today is the day!*

Now say this pledge OUT LOUD:
I will NEVER buy another ream of wrapping paper FROM THIS MOMENT ON.

I hope you realize by now that we are quite serious at what we preach.

So once you have your paper bags ready, prepare a good pair of scissors, a glue stick, a loaded staple, scotch tape which we will try to use sparsely.

1. Tear out the handles glued to these paper bags. Keep it for other decorative uses later.
2. Now remove the cardboard which acts as a base for the paper bag.
3. Open up seams on the side and you will have a good size ‘wrapping paper’ ready for your action.
4. An act of professionalism: To trim away the torn edges.

5. You will notice that I have cut out the paper according to their design. Different sides could be used for presents of varying sizes.
6. Decorative: Now use the paper handle to tie into a bow or a heart shaped “paper clip”.
7. Xmas Card: Remember the cardboard base of the bags? Now unleash your creativity and use the remaining of the paper bags or some torn wrappers/ old magazines to decorate your Xmas card.

8. Remember to pass on this Message of spreading a GREEN HEART!
X’MAS CAN BEFRIEND ECO-FRIEND ONLY WHEN CELEBRATED WITH A LOVE FOR NATURE!

Flowers are cut out from torn used scraps of wrapping paper. Pinks petals are from the left overs of pink paper bag. Some call it FLOWER POWER!:)

December 17, 2013

Testimonial from our Frog Master!

By Muhammad Aizat Bin Selamat
BSc(Honours) in Business, University of London

Position: Marketing and Business Development Assistant

“If you love to interact with people from all walks of life, love nature and have fun while working, this is the internship to opt for! Never did I expect this stint to build my character development but also honed my skills and knowledge on social decorum!”

My internship experience at JFF is a challenging, thrilling and a rewarding one. Life at JFF is different everyday. The word ‘bored’ never came into existence.

You get to meet new people like customers, who will sometimes eventually become your friends OR and potential business partners. The working environment has encouraged me to come out of my comfort zone to unleash the potential of public speaking skill in me. With a predisposed introvert personality, the tour guiding responsibility is the most challenging aspect of the internship. I have learnt how to crowd-control different type of groups ranging from kids to adults. This is an experience and on-site learning opportunity that I can never get from reading a textbook.

One of the highlights of this internship is my involvement in the World Food Festival (WWF) 2013. I was involved in the logistics planning for the event. For example, I need to ensure that we have adequate collaterals to go around during the event as well as informing to the public for our involvment in WWF 2013 through social media like Facebook and WordPress. On top of that, I’ve learnt a few interesting Mandarin phrases to pitch sales during the event. For example, “lai ah lai ah, tian ji rou, sao sao de!”. In translation, come and get our freshly cooked frog meat!

Truth be told, there’s more to experience than to be said in words. It is an enriching experience to be able to work as an intern in Jurong Frog Farm. Where most of my peers would scorn at the prospect of working in a farm, I am glad that I have chosen to walk the beaten path. I have taken this rare opportunity to learn and experience first hand on managing a business and overcome obstacles in an organic and dynamic environment. Hey, you get to learn about frogs as well! Like JFF Director (Ms Chelsea Wan) always say, frog rocks!

I will definitely encourage my fellow schoolmates looking for internships to work with JFF Pte Ltd. Further more, you’ll be able to enjoy the rustic scenary which is definitely a breath of fresh air from the hustling and bustling concrete jungle of Singapore!