Shanshui Organic Rice Farm Introduction
Yuanli Township in Miaoli County is known as the granary of Miaoli, with rice cultivation spanning an area of 3,000 hectares. The Organic Rice Field is a hope station established by the Shanshui Rice Company in 2004, mainly aimed at promoting organic rice cultivation and helping the public understand the hard work behind rice production, encouraging them to treasure it. The Shanshui Organic Rice Field was set up to promote organic rice cultivation in the Yuanli area starting in 2004. In 2006, the Guan-Shu Educational Foundation officially became part of this hope project, responsible for promoting environmental education with the hope that through this classroom "floating on waves of rice," everyone can learn to treat the land kindly, respect all lives, care for farmers' lives, and support "Eat Taiwanese rice, love Taiwan's mountains and waters" through creative play. The "Organic Rice Field" is adjacent to the Shanshui Rice Company, centered around the "classroom floating on waves of rice," with nearby areas including an old warehouse renovated into a traditional agricultural tool exhibition room, a DIY classroom, an organic rice field, and an organic vegetable garden. The rice field employs a "duck-rice symbiosis" organic farming method, with cute little ducks helping in the farming, offering visitors a chance to closely engage with the rice field ecology. Next to it is the organic vegetable garden, where everyone can get their hands dirty and personally experience the joys and struggles of organic cultivation. Additionally, the indoor area is planned with interactive explanation displays, providing a variety of healthy rice meals at the "Rice Play Dining Hall", and a souvenir sales area. The "Organic Rice Field" is a natural learning center aimed at promoting organic farming and environmental ecological education, embodying the spirit of "100% Rice Playism." Through creative and fun experiential activities and explanations, children and adults visiting can embark on their learning journey with joy and laughter. The "Organic Rice Field" also aligns with different seasons and the growth process of rice by inviting everyone to join in harvesting and transplanting rice seedlings, experiencing the taste of hard work and sweat as modern farmers for a day. Emphasizing organic farming, the area uses duck intercropping rice cultivation, allowing small ducks to assist in the farm work. Watching the little yellow ducks move charmingly among the seedlings brings smiles to both adults and children. The building is planned into several areas, with the multifunctional classroom being the main venue for DIY activities. The exhibition area can be used for explanations and displays of rice-related items, along with a restaurant offering organic rice dishes and a sales area for various cute souvenirs. However, since it promotes the concept of 100% Rice Playism, the most exciting aspect here is not the hardware but the various experiential activities and guided explanations offered in conjunction with the seasons and the growth of rice, such as being a one-day farmer, field experiences, harvesting, transplanting, and DIY activities like stone painting, eco-friendly soap making, and biological kaleidoscope crafting. Led by lively young men and women, visitors can engage with the rice fields in a fun way, learning about rural culture through these experiences.
