Jupu Ecological Leisure Farm Introduction
Retired principal Wu Sheng-miao has returned to the Ju Pu Ecological Leisure Farm, where he grew up, to establish a new "Ecological Farm Education Park." Through activities like agricultural education and ecological tours, he hopes to provide modern children the opportunity to better understand the local lifestyle and stories. Following the road along the bank of the Hsiao Li River, even before arriving at the Ju Pu Ecological Leisure Farm, one can already feel the agricultural charm of this Hakka town. The northern bank features a continuous stretch of farmland, with rice waves swaying in the autumn breeze; the southern bank consists of rolling hills, where many farms are scattered among the trees, enhancing the natural and relaxed atmosphere. If you're not paying close attention, it's easy to miss the Ju Pu Farm, discreetly hidden within a lush forest. Only when you walk up the slope beside the road will you discover the courtyard, ecological pond, vegetable garden, fruit trees, greenhouse, and restaurant appearing in sequence, revealing a picturesque landscape. Venturing into the back mountains of the park, one can find the less-known Ju Pu Trail, where walking through feels like entering a mysterious mountain hideaway. The farm features numerous organic vegetable plots; during events, visitors can personally experience the joy of vegetable harvesting. Additionally, areas for butterfly rearing, beetle ecology, and firefly recovery have been planned, enriching the ecological diversity. Farm director Wu Jun-ying recommends visitors come in March and May. In March, the Tabebuia aurea blooms, creating a beautiful sea of yellow flowers; in May, the Tung flower season arrives, blanketing the mountain in white, showcasing a different scene. The Ju Pu Farm, operated collaboratively by the Wu family, offers customized activities, allowing visitors to engage in planting and harvesting. Each family member has designated responsibilities for different areas, such as the vegetable garden and Hakka restaurant, as they work together to care for this family-run land that has been in operation for decades, filled with their childhood memories. "When I was young, this whole mountain was my playground," said retired principal Wu Sheng-miao. With over 30 years in science education, Wu has many interesting identities; he is not only a local cultural and historical worker and author but has also published works such as "Hakka Children's Picture Book" and "Children's Plant Fables," vigorously promoting children's literature. Two years ago, Wu returned to the farm and established the "Ju Pu Ecological Farm Education Park," aiming to share more of his childhood memories with children while integrating children's education with local community development. "In the past, all we needed was a knife to spend a day in the mountains, knowing which plants were edible and how to use them, but today's children cannot do that, so we need to encourage them to think more," Wu chuckled. Wu set up the education park as a venue for science education for elementary and middle school students, providing customized activities, planning nature ecological tours based on visitor needs, and facilitating various experiential games. This has indeed attracted many schools and groups for outdoor teaching activities. Here, visitors can fully utilize the farm's resources and experience the joy of planting and harvesting; Wu also teaches children to use natural materials to create various toys, such as making ladles from gourds and arrow tubes from pomelo leaves. Additionally, he leads children in ecological tours to introduce various insects, animals, and plants. Among the most eye-catching features of the park is the colorful "Pipe House Science Classroom," where each room can be designed as a science adventure space and is a favorite gathering spot for children. It can also serve as a private room for visitors to enjoy the beautiful green views of the park. Wu particularly mentioned that from a bird's-eye view, the classroom and activity plaza resemble a blooming flower, a thoughtful design concept conceived during the planning phase. Returning to his hometown, Wu has bigger aspirations; he hopes to drive the development of the Ju Pu community and contribute more to his hometown. In his view, the Ju Pu area is endowed with mountains, Tung flowers, sunsets, and the riverside landscape of the Hsiao Li River, as well as local delicacies like Hakka persimmons and tea. More importantly, the Ju Pu community is also the former residence of Taiwanese literary figure Wu Chuo-liu, adding to its cultural atmosphere. Therefore, Wu hopes to use the education park as a starting point to gradually promote the development of the Ju Pu community. Besides hosting group activities, the park has also organized music concerts and free ecological lectures, attracting many participants without extensive external promotion. "After retirement, I feel busier than before," says Wu. Despite the increased busyness, he finds joy in it, as he has discovered a way of life in his hometown that allows him to fully utilize his expertise.
