Namyangju – aiming to be an eco-city through organic farming

Eastern part of Gyeonggi Province, a region containing important historical facts and featuring environmentally-friendliness

◇ Historic Site of Dasan in Neungnae-ri, Joan-myeon, Namyangju City contains the birthplace of Jeong Yak-yong (Pen-name: Dasan), the Dasan Memorial Hall, and the Dasan Culture Center. ⓒ G-LIFE
 
Namyangju, located near to well-known mountains such as Chungnyeongsan, Cheonmasan, and Suraksan, is a city where urban and rural elements coexist in close harmony. The Bukhangang River converges with the Namhangang River to form the Hangang River near the city. Namyangju is located in the northeastern part of Gyeonggi Province and bordered by Yangpyeong and Gapyeong to the east; by Seoul, Euijeongbu and Guri to the west; by Hanam and Gwangju to the south; and by Pocheon to the north. Its fertile farmland makes it a main production site of vegetables supplied to Seoul. Some royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, i.e. Gwangneung, Hongneung, Yureung are located in the city.
 
Jeong Yak-yong (Pen-name: Dasan) designated by UNESCO as a figure worthy of universal commemoration for the year 2012.

Jeong Yak-yong (1762~1836) was a great scholar of Silhak (practical science), who arranged the two main ideas of Silhak (i.e, the need to settle certain rural problems, including innovation in farmland, and the promotion of commerce, manufacturing, and technological innovation) systematically. 2012 marked the 250th anniversary of his birth. In 2012, UNESCO designated Jeong Yak-yong (Penname: Dasan) as a figure worthy of universal commemoration for the year 2012, together with JJ Rousseau, Herrmann Hesse, and Claude Debussy.

Historic Site of Dasan in Neungnae-ri, Joan-myeon, Namyangju City contains the birthplace of Jeong Yak-yong. He also passed away here. The site also contains his bronze statue, tomb, the Dasan Memorial Hall and the Dasan Culture Center. At the entrance to the site, visitors will find a replica of the crane that he employed to build Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon at the instruction of King Jeongjo. There are also bronze plates displaying the covers of the books that he wrote, including Mongminsimseo (The Mind of Governing People) and Gyeongseyupyo (A Debate on the Need for Innovation of Rules and Laws).◇ The Organic Theme Park introducing everything about organic farming ⓒ G-LIFE

Each year, Namyangju holds the Dasan Culture Festival to honor Jeong Yak-yong’s academic accomplishments and his work on Silhak philosophy. Since the first event in 1986, the festival has earned the affection of many local residents. It has also been selected as one of the Top Ten Gyeonggi Province festivals. In 2012, the annual event was held for three days from September 7 and included a history-related stage play and calligraphy, writing, and thesis contests. Also, Jeong Yak-yong-related events were held by various parties including Namyangju City, the Museum of Silhak, the Dasan Institute (in Seoul), and Gangjin-gun Office (where he stayed in exile) on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth.

The Museum of Silhak, opened in 2009 next to Jeong Yak-yong’s birthplace, engages in diverse activities designed to preserve the Silhak philosophy, and explains the principles of Silhak, including how it deals with astronomy and geography, systematically. It holds two exhibitions each year. This year’s latest exhibition, entitled Dasan, His Life and Ideal at Han River, introduced his life as a scientist, his friends, and diverse materials associated with him.

Namyangju on a more solid footing to carry out organic farming by hosting the 17th IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) session in 2011

Namyangju, which aims to become an eco-city, carries out diverse activities to promote organic farming, including encouraging local residents to grow organic vegetables for their own consumption.◇ In 2011, Namyangju hosted the IFOAM session successfully. This photo was taken at an exhibition of organically grown vegetables at the IFOAM session held in Namyangju. ⓒ G-LIFE
 
Namyangju has had success with The 17th IFORM that was held at Yangju Sports and Culture Center. This event is considered the “Olympics for organic farmers worldwide” and has garnered international attention.
 
The 17th IFOAM session, held for seven days in Namyangju in 2011, attracted 2,899 participants from 76 countries. More than a thousand theses were submitted. The event, which was first held in Asia, received positive support from developing countries, including those in Asia. In the past, organic farming was focused on Europe, but this event provided an opportunity for Asians to pay more attention to its importance. The event organizers were greatly encouraged by the huge number of visitors (around 250,000) who came to the event.

In May 2012, a 43-acre complex was opened in Dogok-ri, Wabu-eup, Namyangju to take the place of the nearby organic farming areas that had to be closed due to the state project to reform the nation’s four major rivers. The newly opened complex, which is participated in by 25 households, is composed of 73 plastic-roofed greenhouses and a farm produce distribution center.

As befits its nickname “a hub of Organic Farming,” Namyangju operates the Organic Theme Park, where visitors can get information on organic farming in general. The park is composed of the Center Zone (an eco-pond and a playground); the Event Zone (a farmers’ market and an aquaculture park); the Hands-on Experience Zone (greenhouse, herb garden, and vegetable garden); and the Well-being Zone (orchard, eco-herb garden, and stone pagoda garden). Various events are hold throughout the year. Farming tools and books on farming are also on display. The park also runs programs, such as weekend farms and a gimchi-making session.

Mongolia Culture Town

If you pay a visit to the Mongolia Culture Town in Sudong-myeon, Namyangju, you will have first-hand knowledge of many things about Mongolia, including their transferable nomad house named “ger,” their everyday lives in ger, traditional attire, accessories, and food. The town also shows Mongol troupes’ circus performance and songs.

Green Village

Namyangju City runs hands-on rural life experience programs in Gorosoe Village, Sanchon Village in Chungnyeongsan Mountain, and the Organic Farming Village in Ungilsan Mountain. In Gorosoe Village, you will see how the farmers collect tree sap from goroseo trees (Acer pictum subsp. mono) and grow chinamul (Aster scaber), shitake mushrooms, etc. You are sure to enjoy the area’s beautiful surroundings, including Bigeum Valley. Sanchon Village in Chungnyeongsan offers beautiful landscape of an area where the waters of the Bukhan River and the Namhan River meet. All households in the Organic Farming Village in Mt. Ungil engage in organic farming, as its name indicates.

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201207251007507055C059&s_code=C059