Following last year's "Partnership for Farming Let’s Do the Farming Together I" activity, Student Entrepreneurship Team "Come on Agricultural Innovation Studio" based on the "From City to Rural Development—Local Creative Farming Implementation Project" of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology this year worked again with the Dintsong Community District Development Association of Houbi District in Tainan City, jointly organized "Let’s Do the Farming Together II—From Seedling to Harvest." This was different from the previous year in that these activities offered farming knowledge related to 24 solar terms and that was especially incorporated. Participants started to transplant rice seedlings as a novice farmer in "Rain to Seed Rice" on Feb. 22, personally went to the field to weed and pick up snails in “Touring the Farm in Spring Rain” on April 25, and worked on the final acceptance of the "Harvest at Summer Solstice" in mid-June!

【A scene of the "Harvest at Summer Solstice" activity】

The "Harvest at Summer Solstice" event spanned between the 24 solar terms "mango species" and "summer solstice." "Summer solstice" comes with the longest day of the year and the shortest night of the year. It also represents the first period when rice in the South becomes ripen and ready for harvest. At summer solstice, the South is full of sunshine and abundant rain, so the harvest date is also advanced. The "Harvest at Summer Solstice" event kicked off with "Small Farming Classroom," directed by Prof. Bi-Ching Tseng from the Department of Industrial Management and Information, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. In addition to passing the 24 solar terms related agricultural knowledge concepts, she also fully explained all the subsequent processes after rice harvesting, turning the trainees from urban people who don't know anything about farming into little farmers who understand some professional farming. The brilliant sharing of the "Rice Dances with Flowers" lesson plan at this event was even more popular, winning compliments and praises from all the participants for the well intention of the "Come on Agricultural Innovation Studio."

【"Let’s Do the Farming Together” ended the entire farming period from transplanting to harvesting in mid-June. The team of "Come on Agricultural Innovation Studio" of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology took a group photo with all the participants】

The harvesting activities were conducted through fierce competitions, and the lively atmosphere was very tense. The traditional threshing machine was very rare seen. The actual harvesting situation of the modern harvester on the scene made the students fully feel the hard work of traditional manual harvesting. In the early years, when the village was harvesting, they would work together and called on the neighbors to help. After the harvest, the host family would treat the harvesting partners with a "harvest meal," giving full play to the spirit of villagers' solidarity, cooperation, and mutual assistance. Of course, this event also kept to the traditional "harvest meal" that always satisfies everyone’s stomach. In addition, during the event, the participants could not only make rice bowls by themselves, but also have a taste of the old rice "Taichung No. 17" and the new rice "Tainan No. 18." It was very interesting and amazing. When it came to making scarecrows, no one could stop even when the “northwest Rain" suddenly started

【"Come on Agricultural Innovation Studio" is made up of a group of enthusiastic students from the Information Science Group of the Department of Industrial Management and Information】

Prof. Bi-Ching Tseng from the Department of Industrial Management and Information stated that "From City to Rural Development—Local Creative Farming Implementation Project" is a USR plan incubated in the 2020 academic year of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. It matched the routine farming time in the farming community, allowing students the opportunity to enter the real farming workplace, understand the needs and difficulties of farming, do their best for the community based on their own majors, and cultivate their ability to understand social issues and then actively show their concern for underdeveloped areas. It is of great significance, with a great vision for the fulfillment of social responsibilities.

【The Small Farming Classroom, hosted by Prof. Bi-Ching Tseng (right) from the Department of Industrial Management and Information, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, is very popular for "Let’s Do the Farming Together】

【[Students were learning how to make bowl rice cake in the traditional way in the activity.】

【Participants took a group photo with the scarecrow they created.】

【The sunlight is plentiful and the rain is abundant: the final "Harvest at Summer Solstice " sees a full harvest of rice, while the students were dancing happily】

【A child and his father were experiencing cutting rice and millet with a traditional threshing machine】