|
Six students and their professor, Jin Yong Choe,
PhD, spent two weeks working aside the research staff at The Rodale
Institute®. They also visited The Center for Agroecology &
Sustainable Food Systems at the University of California, Santa
Cruz. Some of these students had grown up on farms while others
found their calling later in life. But each had this in common:
They’d all been captivated by the teachings of Dr. Choe, a
pioneering researcher in his country’s very young field of
sustainable agriculture.
We asked Dr. Choe and his students to share a few words about themselves
and their experiences visiting the United States. Here’s what
they had to say:
Dr. Jin Yong Choe
“Our sustainable agriculture is not fully
established yet, which means we are still very much dependent
on conventional farming practices. To convert conventional farmers
to organic farming, we face much difficulty. Farmers are very
reluctant and feel less confident without chemicals. It’s
difficult to get people supporting sustainable agriculture with
its sound philosophy rooted in an understanding of nature…After
visiting The Rodale Institute, I have changed my mind, I think,
from supporting sustainable agriculture to promoting organic farming.
I am persuaded to do that.”
Cheon Woong Kyoo
(Woods)
“I have learned here by doing, with my body. I have seen
conventional agriculture soils and organic soils and it has been
very interesting. Conventional soils produce erosion; organic
soils produce mycchorizae, other beneficial micro-organisms and
soil organic matter. I have seen that soil is very important to
the health of the plant.”
Jeong Tae Kyeong
(Tony)
“…When I came to The Rodale Institute I learned about
organic farming and saw that some weeds growing within the crops
was okay. I see that low input, no chemical agriculture is possible.”
Park Jae Hyun
“Agricultural research is divided into two camps: biotech
and sustainable agriculture. In my case, I am more interested
in sustainable agriculture. Here at The Rodale Institute, we have
been learning about soil and it’s effect on crops…We
will establish a good organic system in Korea, I hope, as soon
as possible.”
Jo Hyun Su (Josephine)
“Studying organic agriculture at UC Santa Cruz and here,
I have seen the importance of community. Everywhere, there is
activity. Korean culture is very different. Koreans always sit
down in a chair and study, but here the students are very active.”
Oh Yeong Mi
“My father is a farmer. When I was young I helped him and
I saw that conventional agriculture is very dangerous, so I decided
on another type of agriculture when I entered the Department of
Agronomy at Gyeong Sang National University. Here at The Rodale
Institute, I have learned more about the importance of soil.”
Ha Tae Cheol (Chuck)
“Here I have learned that you do not feed the plant, but
you feed the soil. That, to me, is a very nice idea.”
|
