Shanshui Organic Rice Farm Introduction
Yuanli Township in Miaoli County is known as the granary of Miaoli, with rice cultivation covering an area of 3,000 hectares. The organic rice field, established by Shanshui Rice Company in 2004, aims to promote organic rice cultivation and educate the public about the importance of cherishing rice. The Shanshui Rice Organic Rice Field serves as a hope station to enhance organic rice planting in the Yuanli area of Miaoli. In 2006, the Guanshu Educational Foundation officially joined this hope project, responsible for promoting environmental education. The goal is to learn together how to treat the land kindly, respect all life, care for farmers' livelihoods, and encourage creative play, supporting the mantra "Eat Taiwan's rice, love Taiwan's landscape." The "Organic Rice Field" is adjacent to Shanshui Rice Company and features a classroom "floating on rice waves" at its center, surrounded by an exhibition room showcasing old farming tools converted from an old granary, a DIY classroom, organic rice paddies, and an organic vegetable garden. The rice paddies use the "duck-rice co-cultivation" organic farming method, where cute ducklings assist in farming, providing an opportunity for close contact with rice field ecology. Meanwhile, the vegetable garden allows visitors to get hands-on experience in organic farming. Inside, there are interactive exhibits, a "Play Rice Café" offering various healthy rice dishes, and a souvenir sales area. The "Organic Rice Field" is a natural learning center aimed at promoting organic farming and environmental education. With the spirit of "100% Play Riceism," the center offers creative and fun experiential activities, allowing both children and adults to embark on their learning journey with joy and laughter. The center also invites guests to participate in harvesting and transplanting rice according to seasonal changes and rice growth, experiencing the hard work and satisfaction of farming. Emphasizing organic farming, this area employs the duck-rice farming method, allowing ducklings to assist in agricultural tasks. Watching the fluffy yellow ducklings weave through the rice seedlings brings smiles to both adults and children. The building is designed with several areas; a multifunctional classroom is the main space for DIY activities, while the exhibition area is used for presentations related to rice, alongside a restaurant offering organic rice dishes and a display area for various cute souvenirs. However, because it champions "100% Play Riceism," the most exciting aspect here lies not in the infrastructure but in the seasonal activities and guided experiences tied to rice growth, such as being a one-day farmer, field experiences, harvesting, transplanting, as well as DIY activities like stone painting, eco-friendly soap making, and biological kaleidoscopes. Led by dynamic young staff, visitors not only explore the organic rice fields but also deepen their understanding of rural culture through experiential learning.
