Establishing an Organic Farming Foundation
Through "Golden Apple Snail Farming Method"
and Community-Based Practices
Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Cho Sangrae) announced on June 14 that Dangji Village in Seokgok-myeon has been selected as the "Jeollanam-do Organic Ecological Village for the second half of 2025."
Dangji Village consists of a total of 23 households (18 farming households and 5 non-farming households). Of the total cultivated area of 20.6 hectares, 9.9 hectares have received organic certification and 2.5 hectares have received pesticide-free certification, resulting in a total certified area of 12.4 hectares, thereby meeting the required standards.
In particular, the village cultivates rice using the golden apple snail farming method and operates an eco-friendly complex spanning 10.2 hectares. Residents actively participate in a variety of communal activities such as seed purchasing, seedling cultivation, and pest control, continuing to practice community-centered eco-friendly agriculture.
Geographically, the village boasts a natural environment surrounded by mountains such as Tongmyeongsan, Guksabong, and Dalbong. Dangji Stream and Dangji Reservoir are located nearby, contributing to the area’s ecological value as habitats for various flora and fauna as well as migratory birds. The village fences, made of traditional stone walls, have also been positively evaluated for maintaining a nature-friendly landscape.
As a result of this selection, Dangji Village will be eligible to participate in the organic ecological village development project with funding of up to 500 million KRW and an additional 40 million KRW for revitalization projects. The village plans to expand facilities for experience programs, processing, and distribution, and will actively promote rural tourism resources in the future.
With the addition of Dangji Village, a total of nine villages in Gokseong County have now been designated as Jeollanam-do Organic Ecological Villages, including Dongmak and Saeteo Villages in Gokseong-eup, Sanghan and Bansong Villages in Jukgok-myeon, Geunchon and Yeonbong Villages in Samgi-myeon, and Juksan and Jeongi Villages in Seokgok-myeon.
Meanwhile, since 2009, South Jeolla Province has been designating and fostering organic ecological villages to promote the spread of organic farming and the activation of rural tourism.
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