Jupu Ecological Leisure Farm Introduction
Retired principal Wu Shengmiao returned to the Jupu Ecological Leisure Farm where he grew up, establishing a new "Ecological Farm Education Park." Through activities such as food and agriculture education and ecological tours, he hopes to give modern children the opportunity to better understand local life and stories. Following the road along the banks of the Xiaoli River, even before reaching the Jupu Ecological Leisure Farm, one can already sense the agricultural charm of the Hakka town of Jupu. On the north bank of the road is a vast expanse of farmland, where the golden rice waves sway in the autumn breeze; on the south bank, rolling hills rise and fall, with several farmhouses scattered among the trees, enhancing the natural and leisurely atmosphere. If one does not pay special attention, it is easy to miss the Jupu Farm, hidden within a patch of greenery. Only by ascending the slope alongside the road does one discover the courtyard, ecological pond, vegetable garden, fruit trees, greenhouse, and restaurant, revealing a unique landscape. Walking into the back mountains of the park, there is the Jupu Trail known only to locals, where strolling feels like entering a mysterious mountain sanctuary. The park features many organic vegetable gardens, allowing visitors to experience the fun of vegetable picking during activities. There are also plans for areas dedicated to butterfly rehabilitation, stag beetle ecology, and firefly restoration, showcasing a rich ecological environment. Wu Junying, the farm manager, recommends visiting in March and May. In March, the Tabebuia chrysantha blooms, creating a beautiful sea of yellow flowers; in May, the oil tree blossoms arrive, covering the mountain in white, presenting yet another scene. Customizable activities allow visitors to plant and harvest vegetables themselves at the Jupu Farm, managed collaboratively by the Wu family, with members responsible for different areas such as the vegetable garden and Hakka restaurant. Together, they cherish this piece of family-owned land that has been in their family for decades, which is also filled with their childhood memories. "When I was young, this whole mountain was my playground," said retired principal Wu Shengmiao. With over 30 years in science education, Wu has many interesting identities; he is not only a local cultural worker and writer with in-depth research on river conservation and Hakka literature but has also published works such as "Hakka Children's Picture Books" and "Children’s Plant Fables," tirelessly promoting children's literature. Two years ago, Wu returned to the farm and established the "Jupu Ecological Farm Education Park," hoping to share more of his childhood memories with children and combine children's education with local community development. "In the past, we only needed a knife to survive a day in the mountains, knowing which plants could be eaten and how to use them, but today's children cannot do that, so we need to encourage them to think more," Wu said with a smile. Wu Shengmiao established the education park with the hope of serving as a venue for science education for elementary and middle school children, while also providing customized activities, planning nature ecological tours according to visitors' needs, or using the space for various experiential games, attracting many schools and groups for outdoor teaching activities. Here, visitors can utilize farm resources to personally experience the joy of growing and harvesting vegetables. Wu Shengmiao also teaches children to use natural materials to create various toys, such as making scoops from gourds and folding pandan leaves into quivers. Moreover, he leads children in ecological tours, allowing them to learn about various insects, animals, and plants. One of the most eye-catching features of the park is the colorful "Culvert Classroom," where each classroom can be designed as a science challenge venue, also serving as a popular gathering place for children and a private area for visitors to enjoy the green scenery of the park. Wu Shengmiao particularly mentioned that when viewed from above, the culvert classrooms and activity square resemble a blooming flower, a clever design idea from the very beginning. Upon returning to his hometown, Wu has even bigger aspirations; he hopes to promote the development of the Jupu community and contribute more to his homeland. In his heart, the Jupu area is home to mountains, tung flowers, sunsets, the scenic banks of the Xiaoli River, Hakka persimmons, and tea leaves. More importantly, the Jupu community is also the former home of Taiwanese literary figure Wu Zhuoliu, adding to its cultural atmosphere. Therefore, Wu Shengmiao hopes that the education park will serve as a starting point to gradually promote the development of the Jupu community. Besides hosting group activities, the park has also held concerts and free ecological lectures, attracting many participants without specific promotions. "I feel like I'm busier after retirement than before," Wu said. Even though life has become more hectic, he finds great joy in it, as he has found a way of life in his hometown that allows him to fully utilize his expertise.
