In Goyang’s Janghang 1-dong neighborhood, a heartwarming initiative called the “Love Sharing Hanmaeum Farm” has brought together volunteers, local welfare organizations, and low-income families through agriculture. On June 23, the Janghang 1-dong Community Welfare Council and the Hanmaeum Volunteer Group harvested potatoes cultivated since March, distributing them to six senior centers and 35 low-income households in 5kg and 10kg packages.
This marks the second year of the project, which not only provides fresh produce to vulnerable groups but also strengthens community bonds. According to Park Yun-ja, chairperson of the welfare council, the farm will expand to grow corn, radishes, and cabbages, further supporting food-insecure residents. Han Young-chul, head of the volunteer group, emphasized the farm’s role in addressing local needs through collective effort.
The Bigger Picture: Social Farming’s Global Impact
Community-based agriculture is gaining traction worldwide as a tool for social inclusion and food resilience. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that urban and shared farming projects can improve nutrition access for 20–30% of participating low-income households. In Europe, similar initiatives have reduced food waste by up to 15% while fostering volunteerism (European Commission, 2023).
South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture notes a 40% rise in urban farming participants since 2020, driven by pandemic-era food security concerns. Projects like Hanmaeum Farm align with this trend, demonstrating how small-scale agriculture can tackle both economic hardship and social isolation.
The success of Janghang 1-dong’s potato harvest highlights the power of agriculture as a force for community welfare. By integrating volunteer labor, local governance, and sustainable practices, such models offer a blueprint for addressing food inequality while promoting social cohesion. As climate and economic challenges grow, scalable community farming could become a cornerstone of resilient food systems.
