Rice Harvest Experience Event: 2016 Wild Vine Garden Water Terraces
The terraced fields at Banling in Yangmingshan are among the few irrigated rice terraces in the Taipei Basin that are still being farmed. At Yemanyuan (Wild Vine Garden), we cultivate different varieties of rice to maintain species diversity and boost food self-sufficiency. For example, purple glutinous rice can boost vitality and nourish the body, and purple rice porridge made from it is fragrant and delicious; round glutinous rice can be used to make processed rice foods, so tangyuan and radish cake for New Year and festivals need not be bought from outside; and brown rice is our daily staple. Unlike the harder texture of ordinary brown rice, we insist on sun-drying the rice grains by hand. The rice absorbs the energy of the sunlight, making it naturally fragrant and delicious.
Paddy fields not only produce food and provide humans with essential and abundant nutrients, but can also store "water" as an energy resource, used to regulate the microclimate and conserve water sources. Rice is not an aquatic plant, but its water-loving nature allows many organisms to live together in the fields. Small water plants, tadpoles, spiders and swallows form a natural cycle and ecological chain. Rather than relentlessly pursuing yield, what we gain is more organisms able to live at ease, and the understanding that humans are part of nature, not its master. Therefore we do not use pesticides or chemical fertilizers, letting the generosity and compassion of the soul of rice be fully revealed in this patch of rice terraces.
Japan's "apple grandpa" Mr. Kimura once said: "Humans cannot grow an apple or produce a head of rice." From raising seedlings, transplanting rice, to harvesting, over these 120 days, the rice transforms sunlight, soil and water into nutrients, storing them in the endosperm, waiting for the next sprouting and thriving. How fortunate we are to receive such selfless gifts from nature. Come harvest with us, listen closely to the deepest calling within, and step up the path home. Parent-child families, future farmers, and those aspiring to a self-sufficient life are all welcome to join us, to learn from the rice stalk to bow humbly, learn from the mountains to stand calmly, and once again plant ourselves back into the land. We are waiting for you amid the ripe golden waves of rice!
Time: August 6 (Sat), 8/10 (Wed), 13 (Sat), 16 (Tue)
Location: Yemanyuan (No. 40-20, Shamao Road, Beitou District)
Transportation: http://goo.gl/GdrJ9z
Activity schedule: (subject to flexible adjustment depending on circumstances)
9:00 Meet at Yemanyuan
9:00-9:15 Introduction to the Eat Your Own Rice project
9:15-9:30 Teaching of rice cutting and pedal threshing machine, introduction to tools
9:30-10:30 Rice terrace harvesting
10:30-11:00 Rest and wash up
11:00-12:30 Cook lunch together
12:30-13:30 Enjoy a vegetarian-style meal
13:30-15:00 Irrigation channel tour + clam digging
15:00 Heading home
Notes:
1. Please wear long sleeves or sleeve covers. Insects are active in summer, so long pants are best.
2. Please bring your own drinking water, bowls and chopsticks, sun protection items, towel, change of clothes, and sickle (optional).
3. If a typhoon occurs, the activity date will be adjusted, and you will be notified by email at that time. Please be sure to check your messages.
How to register: Please fill out the online registration form and remit the payment to the following account for registration to be successful
Remittance account: Post Office 700-00013610493740
Contact: [email protected] or call 0931-458434
Join the Grain Shareholders: https://goo.gl/l2T4PY