Embark on a trip that will satisfy all five of your senses!
Createdd 2012-05-30 Hit 647
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Embark on a trip that will satisfy all five of your senses!
(Published May 15, 2012)
Gyeonggi Green & Agriculture Foundation’s Luxury Agro-Specialties Experience Tour grows in popularity
◇ On May 12, participants in the Urban-Rural Exchange Agriculture and Fisheries Experience Tour pose for a photo in front of the Seogyeongdeul Agriculture Association. ⓒ G-News Plus
The Urban-Rural Exchange Agriculture and Fisheries Experience Tour hosted by the Gyeonggi Green & Agriculture Foundation has received a great deal of positive feedback from participants.
This tour initiative was launched in 2010 in a bid to provide urban residents with opportunities to experience agricultural and fisheries communities and visit farms, as well as to promote the sales of specialty products at farmers’ markets.
In addition, by observing firsthand the difficulties of cultivating, harvesting and processing agricultural produce, urban dwellers can become more aware and appreciative of the high quality agriculture and fishery products available to them.
As of last year, the tour had attracted over one thousand participants (on 21 separate tours), increasing participation in rural culture experiences and direct sales at specialty farmers’ markets.
In particular, five experience courses were developed in accordance with the different harvest periods and seasonality of farm produce. The courses are designed to offer different foods as well as other attractions, under a program that has been successfully associated with an increase in farmer income.
◇ Participants listen to guidelines before picking strawberries. ⓒ G-News Plus
To further develop the previous area-based programs, this year’s program features an increased emphasis on regional characteristics (i.e., urban regions and the southwest coastal, northwest, northeast and southeast regions).
The outstanding urban region course includes an agricultural community near an urban center, an agricultural theme park and a botanical garden that is easily accessible from urban areas. There is a blueberry garden showcasing the popular, nutritious fruit, and the Baedagol Theme Park, which boasts diverse species of aquatic plants and animals. There is also a folk museum that will remind visitors of former times.
The southwest coastal course, which focuses on the west coast, includes various activities such as a mud flat tour, clam harvesting, and a salt pond experience, as well as visits to the Seongam and Baramsae Experience Villages. Visitors can also visit the Dongju Saltern, the Ansan Fishing Village Folk Museum, and the Nueseom Lighthouse Observatory. 
◇ Participants in the green leafy vegetable harvesting experience. ⓒ G-News Plus
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Asia’s biggest nature reserve, is part of the northwest region course and has the most well-preserved natural environment of the five courses. The highly popular farm experience tour, which is linked with the DMZ national reunification and security tour, includes visits to Taepung Observatory, Odusan Observatory, and DMZ Haemaruchon Village. Visitors can also enjoy the Sanmeoru Wine Tasting and Grape Wine Brewery (winery) tour at Sanmeoru Village, and participate in seasonal harvesting at Pureunae Village.
The northeastern region features numerous agricultural experience programs centered on forest experiences in the dense forests of the Chungnyeong and Yeonyin mountains. There is also Ahopmajigi Village, a natural rest and relaxation area full of fresh and lively nature, Gapyeong Yeongyangjat Village, and Pocheon Sutgol Village with its various botanical gardens and arboretums.
The southeast region, where Yeoju and Icheon are located, abounds with rice paddies and is well-known for its rice production. Visitors to the area can enjoy a historic and cultural tour of the Chiljangsa and Silleuksa temples, or a rice-milling experience.
◇ A beaming mother and her son hold up strawberries they picked themselves. ⓒ G-News Plus
There are special programs provided for the variety and effectiveness of publicizing the experience tours. Special programs for power bloggers and university journalists are planned to increase awareness of the region’s outstanding agricultural specialty products. Also, more opportunities will be provided for multicultural families and socioeconomically underprivileged families to enjoy the tours.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Experience Tours began on May 12th. Icheon Buraemi Village held a strawberry-picking and green, leafy vegetable-harvesting experience, and the Seogyeongdeul Agriculture Association held a tour for observing the production of Korean traditional sauces, and products worth KRW 1 million were purchased.
In addition, on May 16th, the Yeoncheon Pureunae Village (strawberry picking) and Sansawon (Gayangju production tour) opened. A tour of the Paju Sanmeoru Village (winery) and the Chamhan Ssak (vegetable sprouts production) is planned for the 24th, but the registration period has ended.
If you are interested in participating in the Agriculture and Fisheries Experience Tour, please register online at www.ggaf.or.kr/tour. Full details of the Agriculture and Fisheries Experience tours are also available on the website. The registration period closes early as there are many who wish to participate, so it’s best to sign up early if you are interested.
The tour fee is KRW 15,000 per person. People over 19 years of age are eligible to apply.
◇ Housewives experience making Korean soy sauce. ⓒ G-News Plus
ⓒ G-News Plus News / Park Gwan-sik / malbut@kg21.net
http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201205151300427055C049&s_code=C049
