Former nun receives FAO award as 'outstanding female farmer'

Published: 2003-10-16

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNS) -- A former nun who left religious life to care for her ailing parents believes a U.N. agency award for her skills as an organic farmer is a sign God recognizes her work. Virginia Munino, 54, was selected as outstanding female farmer in the Asia-Pacific region by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. She and other winners from the region received the award Oct. 16 in Bangkok, as part of a World Food Day celebration. Munino has been working on the farm in Tampakan, Philippines, since 1994, when she left the Oblates of Notre Dame to care for her ailing parents and their land.

Copyright (c) 2003 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .