Reflection-First Visit
Jessica
In this year’s project not only did we look at paper references to understand more about natural farming, we also learn it through actual activity. Ms. Chen told us that we could never understand the mission of Grass Hope Taiwan unless we experience the field work ourselves. Therefore we went to Hudi community on a Saturday to farm in the field. The most memorable event out of the day was preparing the land. It was a really hot day. We all sweated so much to till the soil. Each of us get a chance to use the land tiller. For me, it was such a hard task. I struggle so much that I can’t even make the land tiller move. At the moment I realize that there is so much work a farmer has to put to grow the food for us. Therefore, when Ms.Chen asked our feedback at the end of the day my answer was that I will never waste my food anymore. This experience demonstrated the spirit of food education. It is only when we truly understand our food that we can appreciate it. No matter it is through planting them by ourselves or visit the environment they grow in, food education builds connection between we and our food.
In this year’s project not only did we look at paper references to understand more about natural farming, we also learn it through actual activity. Ms. Chen told us that we could never understand the mission of Grass Hope Taiwan unless we experience the field work ourselves. Therefore we went to Hudi community on a Saturday to farm in the field. The most memorable event out of the day was preparing the land. It was a really hot day. We all sweated so much to till the soil. Each of us get a chance to use the land tiller. For me, it was such a hard task. I struggle so much that I can’t even make the land tiller move. At the moment I realize that there is so much work a farmer has to put to grow the food for us. Therefore, when Ms.Chen asked our feedback at the end of the day my answer was that I will never waste my food anymore. This experience demonstrated the spirit of food education. It is only when we truly understand our food that we can appreciate it. No matter it is through planting them by ourselves or visit the environment they grow in, food education builds connection between we and our food.
Earth's Children in the field
Karen
Early in the morning, along with the bright sunshine, we went up to the Hudi community in Yangmingshan. This time, our team is working with the Grass Hope Foundation. We will be experiencing the natural farming practices in the mountains. Ms. Chen took us to the mountain for “a day as a farmer” hands-on lesson. This time, we started with a weed-filled land and started from the most basic step- weeding to spread seeds. At first, I thought it was a very simple task, but after encountering some difficulties such as the hot weather and insects in the soil. I finally realized the hard works all the farmers have paid. Yet, I still think our efforts were worth it, since we’re helping the environment. As for lunch, we were all hungry and finished the great food within a couple minutes.
Step by step, we learnt from hands-on experience that allowed us to really feel the hard work of farmers and learn to be grateful. Until noon, we even tasted the most natural food and enjoyed the pure taste of nature, which we usually can’t do in the city.
Early in the morning, along with the bright sunshine, we went up to the Hudi community in Yangmingshan. This time, our team is working with the Grass Hope Foundation. We will be experiencing the natural farming practices in the mountains. Ms. Chen took us to the mountain for “a day as a farmer” hands-on lesson. This time, we started with a weed-filled land and started from the most basic step- weeding to spread seeds. At first, I thought it was a very simple task, but after encountering some difficulties such as the hot weather and insects in the soil. I finally realized the hard works all the farmers have paid. Yet, I still think our efforts were worth it, since we’re helping the environment. As for lunch, we were all hungry and finished the great food within a couple minutes.
Step by step, we learnt from hands-on experience that allowed us to really feel the hard work of farmers and learn to be grateful. Until noon, we even tasted the most natural food and enjoyed the pure taste of nature, which we usually can’t do in the city.
Rene
Early in the morning, we took a bus and arrived at the Hudi community in Yang Ming Mountain. Seeing this suburb within Taipei’s concrete jungle- where all the neighbors know each other, uncles and aunts gave us the crops they have raised generously- this little neighborhood that is filled with love and hospitality fascinated me. After a whole day of experience, I now understand how hard and tiring it is for farmers, specifically farmers of organic field, to raise crops. Weeding, ploughing, burying the seeds, pulling the water line, spreading scraps of sugar canes to prevent
ants from harming our seeds, all these complex processes have made me exhausted and tired after a whole day of work. I can’t imagine farmers doing this everyday in their lives, all for raising a field of healthy crops for us to eat. I still remember a sentence that Ms. Chen have said before we came to the neighborhood: every vegetable that a farmer grows is like his or her own kid. After this experience, I can totally agree and relate to this feeling!
Early in the morning, we took a bus and arrived at the Hudi community in Yang Ming Mountain. Seeing this suburb within Taipei’s concrete jungle- where all the neighbors know each other, uncles and aunts gave us the crops they have raised generously- this little neighborhood that is filled with love and hospitality fascinated me. After a whole day of experience, I now understand how hard and tiring it is for farmers, specifically farmers of organic field, to raise crops. Weeding, ploughing, burying the seeds, pulling the water line, spreading scraps of sugar canes to prevent
ants from harming our seeds, all these complex processes have made me exhausted and tired after a whole day of work. I can’t imagine farmers doing this everyday in their lives, all for raising a field of healthy crops for us to eat. I still remember a sentence that Ms. Chen have said before we came to the neighborhood: every vegetable that a farmer grows is like his or her own kid. After this experience, I can totally agree and relate to this feeling!
Earth's Children planting white cabbages in the field
<Pictures taken by Grass Hope Taiwan Foundation and Earth's Children>