Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services to Operate Healing Agriculture Program 24 Times Until October

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 22 Apr.2025 07:24(KST)

Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services will operate the "2025 Healing Agriculture Specialist Program" a total of 24 times from April 22 to October 21, in order to promote the spread of healing agriculture that utilizes agricultural and rural resources.

Participants include high-risk groups for mental health, seniors, and high-risk groups for stress, all of whom were selected through recommendations from related organizations in March. Each group consists of about 10 people, and each group will participate in a total of eight customized training sessions. The program is practice-oriented and utilizes resources such as vegetable gardens, herbs, and horticultural materials at the Gyeonggi-do Healing Agriculture Center.

Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services will operate a healing agriculture program for residents until October. Participants in the healing agriculture program are smiling brightly. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services

The main content includes: "Can Soybeans Heal Me?" in the field of food crops (April to May); "Emotions and Thoughts Notebook for Kitchen Gardens" in the field of horticultural crops (June to August); and "Emotional Insects that Heal the Mind" in the field of emotional insects (September to October). These programs have been adapted from content developed by the Rural Development Administration to suit the local context in Gyeonggi-do.

Before and after the training, Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services will measure psychological and mental health indicators such as depression, stress, self-esteem, resilience, and physical vitality, including through brainwave analysis. Based on these results, the agency plans to produce and distribute a practical manual that can be used at healing farms throughout the province.

Sung Jehoon, Director of Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, said, "We will continue to expand this program so that it can make a real contribution to improving the quality of life for residents and increasing the income of farmers."