Jeonnam Nonghyup Selects Three Couples as July "New Farmer of the Month" Recipients

Mintae Oh and Okdullye Kim of Gwangyang
Sangbong Jung and Kyungsun Chae of Gokseong
Woong Lee and Miran Kim of Haenam
Recognized for Contributions to Local Agricultural Development

From the front row left: Woong Lee and Miran Kim couple (Woong Lee Foods), Sangbong Jung and Kyungsun Chae couple (Jongbang Farm), Mintae Oh and Okdullye Kim couple (Bohwa Farm). Provided by Jeonnam Nonghyup.

The Jeonnam branch of Nonghyup announced on July 8 that the recipients of the July "New Farmer of the Month" award are the couples Mintae Oh and Okdullye Kim (Jinwon-myeon, Gwangyang City), Sangbong Jung and Kyungsun Chae (Ip-myeon, Gokseong County), and Woong Lee and Miran Kim (Masan-myeon, Haenam County).

Mintae Oh and Okdullye Kim (Bohwa Farm) have been engaged in farming for about 34 years since 1991, cultivating lettuce, celery, and watermelon in greenhouses covering more than 6,000 pyeong. They have actively participated in the lettuce joint shipping association, researched agricultural techniques, guided and encouraged less experienced farmers, and dedicated themselves to producing high-quality lettuce. They are recognized as leading farmers who pioneered the branding of lettuce.

Sangbong Jung and Kyungsun Chae (Jongbang Farm) are farmers who practice complex farming, combining rice cultivation and livestock farming, and play the role of pioneering farmers by attempting innovative and differentiated agricultural management. They have practiced eco-friendly agriculture to produce safe food, created conditions to expand the distribution of eco-friendly agricultural products and processed goods, and contributed to increasing farm income with annual sales of 1 billion KRW.

Woong Lee and Miran Kim (Woong Lee Foods) completed the construction of a domestic sesame oil and perilla oil processing plant in 2018. They formed a sesame and perilla growers' group for these minor local crops and contributed to creating added value for agricultural products through an integrated marketing strategy that covers everything from production to processing and sales system establishment.

In particular, Woong Lee has been appointed as an advisor to the Haenam County Small Business Association and is currently working to improve the income of small business owners.

Director Kwangil Lee stated, "I sincerely congratulate you on receiving the New Farmer of the Month award," and added, "I ask that you continue to play a leading role in the advancement of agriculture and rural communities by spreading advanced farming techniques and fostering future generations of farmers."