Exploring Green Narae: A Social Farm in Ulsan
As you follow the clear waters of the Naewonam Valley in Daewunsan, one of the twelve scenic spots in Ulsan, you may find a place where laughter flows down the mountainside.
This is the social farm of Green Narae, a space where seasonal fruits ripen, children's laughter grows, and the memories of the elderly bloom anew.
Recently, the farm welcomed over 200 children who had just finished their experiential activities. As the afternoon sun began to set, traces of their laughter lingered throughout the farm.
“Just now, the children were running around joyfully. Even when it's tiring, seeing their smiles gives me strength,” said Nam Myung-sook, the representative of Green Narae, her face lighting up with happiness despite the day’s fatigue.
Green Narae is a rare social agricultural healing farm, spanning about 5,000 pyeong in the Ulsan, Busan, and Yangsan area.
This place can accommodate up to 400 visitors, including users from daycare centers, kindergartens, welfare facilities for the disabled, senior day care centers, and dementia care centers.
Currently, the farm is in the midst of mulberry harvesting experiences. Children excitedly pick the dark, ripe mulberries and pop them into their mouths, while the elderly carefully pick them, reminiscing about their childhoods. Before long, their lips and fingertips are stained purple, and smiles bloom as they look at each other.
The farm offers various experiences each season, allowing visitors to engage with nature's gifts, including harvesting mulberries, grapes, blueberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn. The most popular program among children is feeding the sheep and rabbits. In those moments, as they feed the animals and make eye contact, they naturally learn the value of life and the joy of connection.
Activities like catching loaches, playing in the sand, swinging in hammocks, playing ball games, and kindergarten sports days offer nature experiences that are hard to come by in urban settings.
“Children love feeding the animals, and the elderly enjoy the hands-on harvesting experiences the most. Seeing them laugh and enjoy themselves in nature gives me great fulfillment,” Nam expressed, reflecting the farm's philosophy of connecting people through nature.
Another reason that makes Green Narae special is its focus on 'people-centered agriculture.' This social farm not only offers rural experiences but also integrates healing and care.
Programs for users of dementia care centers and welfare facilities for the disabled and elderly have already received positive feedback from the community. Activities range from making traditional snacks and bread to mulberry harvesting and farm walks. Touching, smelling, and sharing laughter during these moments are healing in themselves.
“When the elderly come, we make pancakes and pizzas for them. It feels wonderful when they tell us they enjoyed their meal and had a great time,” Nam said. Rural experiences are known to aid in memory recall, emotional stability, and physical activity enhancement.
Green Narae is actively implementing the values of therapeutic agriculture, showcasing new possibilities for agriculture focused on people.
Since being designated as a village enterprise in 2020, Green Narae has steadily grown. Recognized for its efforts and achievements, it has been selected as an excellent village enterprise by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for 2024.
Nam Myung-sook, after completing a therapeutic agriculture operator course, has been dedicated to developing social agricultural programs. This year, with the selection of social agricultural projects, various programs for the disabled and vulnerable groups will be operated for the next five years.
In particular, with the expansion of the therapeutic agriculture voucher program, community care and healing services, as well as the farm's sustainability, are expected to increase.
When asked about her future dreams, Nam's eyes sparkled. “I want to create a farm where village elders can also become instructors. I want to try all the experiences possible in rural areas and involve the elderly as instructors for planting experiences, and have disabled individuals grow and sell produce.”
The farm she envisions is not just an experiential site but a communal space where the village and its people coexist.
Currently, professional instructors, including forest interpreters, are active at the farm, but the aging rural population and labor shortages remain challenges to address.
“There is a real shortage of workers in rural areas now. I want to continue as long as my health permits, but I don’t know how long that will be,” she said, expressing the affection and responsibility felt only by someone who has long cared for the countryside.
Children affectionately call her 'Grandma Boss.' As soon as they get off the bus, they look for her, and when they leave, they wave goodbye from the windows. Nam waves back until the bus is out of sight.
“It’s so lovely when children bow and say, ‘Goodbye, Grandma.’ Many of them see me more often than my own grandchildren.” The sight of her waving until the bus disappears shows that this place is not just an experiential site. While the experience may last only a day, the bonds formed with people endure.
In this place, nature becomes a source of care. At Green Narae, nestled at the foot of Daewunsan, nature cares for people today as well. Children learn the value of life while playing in nature, and the elderly regain their smiles as they recall memories. The disabled and vulnerable are connected to the world through agriculture, and rural areas embrace new hope.
“I hope this farm will be one that values people over money. A place where children remember nature, and where the disabled and elderly can spend happy days. That is the reason for Green Narae's existence,” Nam said with a bright smile, hinting at the future of social agriculture.
Green Narae, with the clear winds and warm waters of Daewunsan, continues to heal people with the warmest prescription of nature.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224328018935
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