IFEZ Journal

IFEZ is carrying out the Songdo Happy Gardening project to provide vitality to international residents. This project, which has been running since 2020, 

allows selected international residents to take part in growing healthy ingredients while enjoying a break from their daily stresses in the midst of a vegetable garden.

Fun to Grow, a Joy to Harvest 

The selected residents for the Songdo Happy Gardening project attended IFEZ’s orientation sessions on March 28 and 29. At this event, the residents learned helpful information for first-time gardeners, such as basic farming techniques, along with information on planting seedlings and purchasing seeds. For this project, IFEZ leased three lots, each divided into quarters to be distributed among the successful applicants.

International residents rented agricultural tools from the farm-equipment storage office and then headed off to their allocated lots. Following the orientation’s instructions, they removed any stones from the soil and prepared to plant their seeds. The Songdo Happy Gardening project is aimed at creating organic farms that avoid using any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. In addition to the seeds delivered, the residents can grow various crops while sharing information on their experiences from now until November.

MINI INTERVIEW

Yan Hong (China)

I am so happy to have been selected for the Songdo Happy Gardening project. I have always been interested in farming and have experience growing some plants and crops at home. I applied for this project because I want to grow various types of vegetables. This year, my husband and I will try to grow lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers in our assigned garden. It will make our table richer and healthier!

Shodhan Rao (India)

I have joined this project for three years now. I like taking part, as it allows me to enjoy nature in IFEZ — a great global city. As a vegetarian who doesn’t eat meat or seafood, I always want to add more fresh veggies to my diet. I love the process of growing and consuming vegetables in my garden. In particular, I was pleased that I could harvest some of the vegetables I used to eat in India. I will share what I have learned from my gardening experiences while building good memories with the other participants.