Children enjoy playing in the dirt and watching the animals, so time flies quickly. These days, playgrounds use a lot of urethane on the ground, so it seems that children enjoy playing in the dirt even more. When their parents say it’s time to go home, they cry, wanting to play more.
On 24th of last month, Song Mina (36), the representative of 'Dream Field Healing Farm' in Soyang-myeon, Wanju-gun, North Jeolla Province, said this while noting how satisfied the children visiting the farm are. Upon entering the Dream Field Healing Farm, surrounded by mountains, a natural playground unfolds with a vegetable garden, animal farm, forest paths, and streams. On weekends, the farm is bustling with family visitors.
Representative Song said, "Most of the guests come as families. When they visit, they usually stay for more than 2 to 3 hours," adding, "They take walks while watching animals or insects, and they get to harvest herbs or vegetables themselves." He noted, "They also play with bubbles in the fields. During the summer, they enjoy summer vacation by dipping their feet in the stream."
In May, known as Family Month, rural experience sites are gaining attention as places to spend time with children. This is because both adults and children can immerse themselves in nature while stepping on the soil. Leaving behind the stark city, playing among mud, flowers, animals, and forests becomes a valuable experience that elevates the senses.
◇ With soil, plants, and animals... Experiences bloom with laughter
The killer content at Dream Field Healing Farm includes "Eucalyptus bouquet making" and "Pizza making."
Walking among the eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint in the herb greenhouse filled with plants makes the pleasant scent tickle the nose. There’s no better relaxation experience than this aromatherapy. Among these, I made a "Eucalyptus bouquet" by picking individual leaves from the ends of the eucalyptus branches.
The scent of eucalyptus refreshed my mind throughout the process of making the bouquet. My hands were imbued with the aroma of herbs. Simple labor erased my distractions, and I felt a sense of accomplishment through the completion of the bouquet.
Representative Song said, "Eucalyptus is good for relieving nasal congestion, and the scent lasts a long time even after the bouquet is dried," adding that "it’s a program that even young children can easily participate in, as all you have to do is arrange the branches and tie them with a ribbon."
Next, we experienced "Local Pizza Making." We picked lettuce, basil, and edible flowers from the farm's garden.
I shaped the pizza dough I made myself with vegetables and flowers. It’s up to individual choice whether to make the dough round or in the shape of a heart. There’s no right answer. It’s enough to make the pizza I want to express.
The shaped pizza went into the oven and baked to a golden brown. While the taste of the pizza that came out of the oven couldn't be said to be better than that of famous brands, the achievement of having made it myself added a special flavor. For the children, the effect of this seasoning was even greater. Representative Song explained, "Since the children harvested the vegetables themselves, even those who normally don't eat vegetables enjoy them."
Then, we made a mojito with apple mint. As I tore the freshly picked mint leaves and added them to the sparkling water, a fragrant drink was completed.
For the children, animal experiences are also an unmissable time. Kim Jae-yi (5 years old), who lives in Jeonju, said, "I gave carrots and cabbage to the goats, and they ate them really well. Playing in the sand and water was also so much fun," smiling brightly.
Dream Field Healing Farm operates under the mission of "providing recovery and sharing hearts," as a certified healing agriculture farm. Representative Song is a healing agriculture expert with qualifications as a horticultural therapist, vocational rehabilitation therapist, and social worker.
Children grow to be "children who know how to play" by roaming through the garden and forests. Representative Song said, "Agriculture is not just about production; it's about saving people and nurturing hearts," adding, "I hope more families can have healing time in the countryside."
◇ Healing agriculture, embracing the countryside anew
Programs focusing on vegetable harvesting and livestock farming for children also fall under the category of healing agriculture. This is because it utilizes agriculture for health and relationship recovery. Mental health experts evaluate that "healing agriculture addresses the modern person's thirst for greenery and not only overcomes stress but provides a path to holistic healing."
In particular, healing agriculture programs targeting children and adolescents have been reported to positively affect emotional stability and self-esteem during growth. An official from the Rural Development Administration stated, "Healing agriculture utilizing food resources meets humanity's most basic physiological needs and provides psychological comfort," adding, "Gaining a sense of accomplishment through agricultural activities is also one of the benefits."
However, it’s ambiguous to classify just any program as 'healing agriculture.' The government has recognized these issues and introduced a 'healing agriculture facility certification system' this year for quality management of program services. This certification is granted when agricultural management entities or nonprofit organizations apply and are evaluated comprehensively based on facilities, equipment, personnel, and program operation levels.
The government has also established a system for cultivating 'healing agriculture specialists' to train professionals in healing agriculture. To date, 647 second-level healing agriculture specialists have been produced. Healing agriculture specialists are selected through relevant qualification exams and are experts who plan and operate healing agriculture programs and guide participants on-site. Those qualified can participate in government or local government support projects for healing agriculture, designing or conducting programs aimed at psychological and social care.
The first-level healing agriculture specialist exam is expected to be conducted after 2026. The first level requires higher levels of expertise and practical experience than the second level. They can perform advanced roles beyond simple program execution, such as planning and managing healing agriculture services, training and managing personnel, and overseeing the overall operation of programs.
A representative from the Rural Development Administration stated, "We will establish a foundation for healing agriculture that the public can trust and utilize through the accreditation of excellent healing agriculture facilities and the cultivation of specialized personnel."