Damyang-gun Wins Grand Prize and Encouragement Award at Jeonnam Youth 4-H Project Contest

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 7th that it won the grand prize (Im Dongman from Goseo-myeon) and the encouragement award (Jung Geonyong from Goseo-myeon) at the ‘Jeonnam Youth 4-H Project Contest’ hosted by the Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services on the 29th of last month, following last year's two excellence awards.

The Youth 4-H Project Contest was held to induce the development of youth convergence technology agriculture and to support autonomous and creative project activities.

The contest selected winners through a strict evaluation process by experts, including the first document screening and the second presentation screening, comprehensively assessing business feasibility, planning ability, growth potential, and more.

The grand prize was awarded to member Im Dongman (CEO of Cheongchun Berry Farm), who operates a strawberry experience farm visited by more than 5,000 visitors annually.

CEO Im Dongman earned the honor of winning the grand prize with the theme of effectively promoting the excellence of local agricultural products and revitalizing rural experiential tourism through the development of various experience programs.

Also, member Jung Geonyong, who operates a cherry tomato farm, presented a project on the introduction of a small-scale smart farm system and the development of experience products, winning the encouragement award.

The winners of this competition were selected as ‘Youth 4-H Excellent Project Startup Farmers’ and will receive financial support of 50 million KRW for the grand prize and 20 million KRW for the encouragement award to promote the projects they presented.

A county official said, “About 290 4-H members are actively engaged in improving agricultural management and practicing community service,” adding, “We will strive further for agricultural development and nurturing future talents based on the 4-H spirit.”