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Parent volunteers: Hsun-te Cho, Yu-chuan Liu, Cheng-hsing Wu, Wan-ling Lin, Shu-tzu Chiang, Hung-chu Chen, Te-chi Lin, Hui-lan Chang, Yun-hsuan Chang, Li-hsing Lin, Mei-mei Chou, Lu-li Liu
[Hsiang-yun Cho’s mother---Yu-chuan Liu]
The word Cyberfair sounded so familiar. I remember my husband leading the students of the school in such an event a couple of years back. A few years later, I did not expect that I would be given the honor to help my eighth grade daughter of Yunlin County Dong Nan Junior High School Art Class to take part in such an event.
Although I knew that it would take up a lot of my time and that I would have to sacrifice holidays collecting information, and organizing data, it was worth it being able to be by my daughter’s side learning and growing with her. First I saw the students attentively care for the wheat they planted with joy. Then I saw the wheat being milled into flour and the students tasting the scrumptious bread they had made. I also saw the students conducting interviews with the owner of Joy & Hope Wheat and the Changhua County Magistrate with confidence and earnest sincerity. Throughout the entire project there wasn’t a time which I didn’t see curiosity, joy and transformation in these children.
Through the entire project, not only were the children full of passion, energy and growth, the parents were also extremely devoted. Although the process of making the project was intense, I believe that we’ve all gained many rewards. I would like to thank my husband for his proposal, because without his encouragement I wouldn’t have the chance to learn and grow with the children. [Hsiang-yun Cho’s mother---Yu-chuan Liu]
[Yu-ling Hsiao’s mother---Hui-lan Chang]
First I would like to thank Mr. Shih of Joy & Hope Wheat, Mr. Chi-sheng Liu of Dacheng Wheat’s Production and Marketing Group, Principal of Yunlin County Dong Nan Junior High School, teachers and parents for their support in the students’ project. You had all devoted so much of your time and efforts. Nonetheless, the experiences we had gained from a little wheat seed opened up a garden in our hearts and this joy is also the dream filed of Joy & Hope!
Ever since I found out that I was given the honor to take part in my eighth grade daughter’s project my excitement was beyond words. Being a part of this environmentally friendly planting, and continue food sustainability earning fiesta brought an unspeakable warmth to my heart. The feeling was like what my daughter said, since her glimpse of a vegetable garden when she was in kindergarten she had never seen another again! However, this time she actually sowed the seed and cultivated her own wheat. She saw a piece of her childhood memory. Ladybug! The students of the project were art experts, but their observation and experience in the wheat field was an art class of all senses! It had opened up their sense for beauty. The wheat had to be watered, but not too much. You still have to take good care of it. You must be patient and wait for the plant to grow. It can’t be rushed.
Wheat is a beautiful blessing. My heart was full of joy and hope! Maybe, it was because that I was born in a farm so I especially respect farmers and the people Joy & Hope Wheat who worked hard to contribute to the agriculture industry. From the beginning to the end of this wonderful learning experience which made an impact on my daughter and I, on not only what we’ve learned but also what we experienced. Now, we would notice, care, and discuss related issues extend from our trip to Joy & Hope wheat such as low carbon food, fair trade and so on. It had become an important curriculum in our lives. Just as Mr. Shih of Joy & Hope Wheat had said, “Not all problems is centered around you, do not think less of the effect of an Angoumois grain moth”. [Yu-ling Hsiao’s mother---Hui-la Chang]
[Yu-han Lou’s mother---Lu-li Liu]
The afterthought report of Yu-han Lou’s mother Lu-li Liu
I was happy for my child when I heard that she was selected to be a member of the Cyberfair project. However, I was afraid that she wouldn’t have the ability required to complete the work entrusted to her by the advising teacher. Therefore, my mission is to be by her side throughout the making of the project.
In the past I had always doubted the handicapped. I wondered whether they could do a good job. After visiting Mr. Shih of Joy & Hope Bakery I began to admire the handicapped for their determination in completing their job. Mr. Shih started as an amateur in wheat planting until becoming an expert in the promoting of wheat production. He had devoted a lot of hard work into it. Mr. Shih started from wheat planting area of 1 hectare to the 150 hectares now. He also persuaded the once rice planting farmers to plant wheat instead. This way the soil will be enriched and not depleted in nutrient. Since wheat can be planted without pesticide, inorganic fertilizer, and weed killer, it can be grown organically. This way consumer will be able to have natural food which is not harmful to our health.
The people of Dacheng Township do not welcome pollutant causing industries such as Kuokuang Petrochemical to enter their land, because Dacheng Township now possesses the biggest wheat planting area of the country at approximately 180 hectares. It hoped to remain the town with the biggest wheat planting area in the country. The team visited Mr. Chi-sheng Liu of Dacheng Wheat’s Production and Marketing Group. He pointed out the problems currently facing Dacheng Township. The farmers are too old and young people don’t want to stay. Mr. Liu hoped that an increase in job opportunities would help keep young talents from leaving Dacheng Township.
Also, the Changhua County Government hasn’t had set a plan for the agriculture development of Dacheng Township. The locals wanted to set a special agriculture area which can transform Dacheng Township into an important wheat production town. Therefore, the people of Dacheng Township are fighting for their dreams. Through our interview with Mr. Ming-ku Wei, we asked the some questions about Dacheng Township’s wheat planting. The magistrate agreed with the thoughts of the locals and invited Mr. Huang of Department of Agriculture, Changhua County Government to expand on the notion of establishing a special agriculture area in Dacheng Township, Changhua County. The notion had to be proposed to the central government and provide related information about growing wheat organically. We must first ask for the permission of the central government.
Through the entire project I had learned a lot. I used to believe that our flour supple was dependent on imports. I never thought that wheat can be grown in Taiwan and form the so called local agriculture economy; hence increase farmers’ income. I sincerely respect these people who quietly devoted themselves to our country. [Yu-han Lou’s mother---Lu-li Liu]
[Pin-ling Chen’s mother---Shu-tzu Chiang]
Being able to grow with your children is a blessing! For the past months, I saw the children conduct meetings, discuss, learn, interview and make web page. Through the entire process I saw them from working individually to working as a team. I saw them from being uncertain to being confident. I saw the children grow and mature.
The children were not as familiar with wheat as they were with rice. Therefore, they had a lot of trouble doing introduction about the industry. However, they worked hard during their visits at the Joy & Hope Wheat and learned about the growing environment of wheat. They should be applauded for their effort.
Although, we were only there to be with the children and aid in their commute, we also learned about Taiwan’s agricultural policy for growing wheat and the problem of cheat imported wheat. Fortunately, Joy & Hope Wheat created contracted wheat and let Dacheng Wheat open a new horizon for Taiwan’s multi-grain farmers. The beautiful golden wheat field may become another hot tourist spot in Taiwan. [Pin-ling Chen’s mother---Shu-tzu Chiang]
[Yu-ching Hsu’s mother---Mei-mei Chou]
I am Yu-ching’s mother and I am honored to have the opportunity to take part in my daughter’s Cyberfair project - “To do one thing for Taiwan’s Agricultural”.
Taiwan is an agriculture industrialized country, and had always been focused the cultivating of rice and vegetables. I never knew that wheat had such a historical significance in Taiwan. Before I was born, it was an important crop, but forced to stop planting due to pressure from international relation. From the process of cultivating wheat, group discussion, interviews, harvest, and bread making, I had transformed from one who knew nothing about farming to someone with knowledge.
As I watched my daughter and her teammates’ devotion to the project and the knowledge they had learned, I realized that not only had they learned something from the textbook they had also learned knowledge which can be gained only through self-experience. I earnestly would like to thank all the related agencies and parent volunteers for their help and support. I hope through this project wheat can be processed and incorporated into our daily lives. I also hope that the agriculture industry of Taiwan would progress continuously. [Yu-ching Hsu’s mother---Mei-mei Chou] |
