A Unique Care Farm Where Insects, Care, and Healing Meet
Modniae Co., Ltd., a social enterprise, operates a special care farm in a quiet rural village in Ulsan's Ulju-gun.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by unexpected sights: the gentle aroma of herbs fills the air, children marvel at tiny insects with bright smiles, and seniors reminisce about their childhood while creating flower pots and feeding rabbits and pheasants.
This farm uniquely combines insect breeding, rural experiences, healing agriculture, and care programs, making it a special place in Ulsan.
With an area of approximately 3,300 square meters, the farm features a mealworm breeding facility, a herb garden, experiential spaces, and an animal husbandry area. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including making chives pancakes using mealworms and cordyceps, baking insect cookies, creating natural soaps, and planting herb pots.
Notably, the eco-friendly herb garden utilizing mealworm manure teaches children the value of resource recycling in a natural way. Initially, children may be hesitant about insects, but over time they learn to feed them and even hold them in their hands, forming friendships.
"At first, I thought they were gross, but when I looked closely, they're cute," is a common reaction from children.
Modniae is not just an insect farm; it’s a 'people farm.' The CEO, Lee Kyung-hoon, shares that he encourages children to respond, "My dad protects the Earth," when asked about their parents' jobs.
This statement, initially made with a smile, resonates deeply as one explores the farm. It is a space that not only raises insects but also revitalizes the environment, cares for people, and connects the local community.
Modniae operates as a rare care farm among the national insect WPL (Workplace Learning) facilities, creating a new model that integrates insect breeding, education, and healing programs.
Visitors range from preschool children to elementary students, families, and seniors from welfare centers. The reactions of the elderly are particularly striking.
"I was scared because they were bugs, but it’s fascinating and fun to see them in person," says one senior. Another adds, "I can't wait to brag about this to my grandchildren when I get home." Activities like feeding insects and making flower pots foster intergenerational dialogue, while nature-based activities provide emotional stability and vitality.
Lee emphasizes that "simply being outside, moving, and interacting with others is the beginning of healing."
Another defining feature of Modniae is its focus on 'circulation.' Mealworms grow by consuming agricultural byproducts, and their manure is transformed into eco-friendly fertilizer for growing herbs and vegetables. These plants then become food for both people and insects, creating a waste-free structure.
Lee views this as a crucial direction for future agriculture, stating, "The insect industry transcends mere food production, addressing environmental and sustainability concerns for the future." Mealworms are gaining attention as a key resource in future food industries due to their high protein content and low carbon emissions.
As visitors leave the farm, the laughter of children follows. While some may dismiss tiny insects as insignificant, at Modniae, these small lives bring joy to people, enrich the soil, and connect the community.
"I want to leave a better environment for our children. That’s why today, we continue to connect people and nature through insects," Lee’s words resonate and linger in the air.
Caring for small lives ultimately means caring for people and revitalizing the community. The small insects tell a large story, and Modniae continues to nurture both the Earth and its people.
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Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224303857580
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