Korean natural farmers survey conditions on a winter field in Hongcheon, South Korea (Photo: P.M. Lydon / Final Straw)

Connecting Two Farmers in South Korea

Yesterday was a pretty darned happy day for us here in Korea.

In April of last year, we first visited with the leading natural farmer in Korea, Mr. Seonghyun Choi (최성현), and at the same time, we took our cameras to a relatively new farmer, Mr. Ryeo-seok Hong. Hong was in his third year of natural farming and had been turned onto the idea after reading an article — and subsequently a book — by Mr. Choi.

Yesterday, Suhee and I were able to help facilitate the meeting of these two farmers on a day which included exchanging of rice grains, amazing home-cooked meals, and lots of ‘farmer’ talk.

Korean Natural Farmers, Seonghyun Choi (최성현) and Ryosok Hong (홍려석) walking along the farmland (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Korean Natural Farmers, Seonghyun Choi (최성현) and Ryosok Hong (홍려석) walking along the farmland (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Winter walk at Seonghyun Choi's (최성현) natural farm, Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Winter walk at Seonghyun Choi’s (최성현) natural farm, Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Natural farm in Winter in Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Natural farm during Winter in Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Winter walk in Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Winter walk in Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)

After our walk through the white-blanketed farmland, Mr. Choi and his wife treated us to a beautiful dinner.

Enjoying dinner at Seonghyun Choi's (최성현) natural farm, Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Enjoying dinner at Seonghyun Choi’s (최성현) natural farm, Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)

Mr. Hong also brought a gift to Mr. Choi… the best hand-picked rice grains from his harvest last year.

Natural Farmer Seonghyun Choi (최성현) with a gift of rice from Ryosok Hong (홍려석) | Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)
Natural Farmer Seonghyun Choi (최성현) with a gift of rice from Ryosok Hong (홍려석) | Hongcheon, South Korea (2013, P.M. Lydon)

It feels amazing to have already helped in creating these moments of exchange, and we haven’t even finished the film!!!

This is only the beginning, The Final Straw will continue to facilitate these kinds of interactions, to help people re-think and re-connect, not only with nature, but with each other. To that note, this month, Suhee and I are working on public relations and fundraising to finish the film.

If you know of people or organizations who believe in the importance of sustainable food, and helping build knowledge and connections between communities, please help us by telling them about the project, or having them contact us directly!

As always, thank you for the support, see you around the bend!

See http://finalstraw.sociecity.com for more on the project.