Sacheon City Sets Example in Administration with Integrated Achievements in Agriculture, Environment, and Education

Rural Experiential Education and Carbon Neutrality Practices

Sacheon City in South Gyeongsang Province is garnering nationwide attention for its remarkable achievements across agriculture, environment, and education in 2024 and 2025.

The city’s accomplishments in eco-friendly agriculture, rural experiential education, return-to-farming and rural migration policies, and carbon neutrality initiatives go beyond a simple list of projects. They are being recognized as exemplary cases of “field-oriented administration.”

◆ Agricultural Achievements Recognized Nationwide

Sacheon City has received a series of major awards, including the Excellence Award for Eco-Friendly Agricultural Material Support Projects, the Grand Prize at the Agricultural Technology Dissemination Best Practices Competition, the Excellence Institution Award for the Farmers’ College for three consecutive years, the Excellence Award in the Group Category for the Eco-Friendly Agriculture Award for two consecutive years (awarded to Jeongdonghak Village Eco-Friendly Complex), and the Governor’s Commendation for Promoting Healing Agriculture at the Comprehensive Evaluation of Rural Resource Projects (awarded to Thomas Farm).

These accolades are attributed to the rapid dissemination of agricultural R&D outcomes in the field, reduction of labor for farmers, and the establishment of a safe agricultural production system.

In particular, pilot projects and technology dissemination initiatives led by the Agricultural Technology Center stood out in evaluations involving 150 cities and counties nationwide, proving that Sacheon City’s agricultural policies are focused on execution rather than mere planning.

Sacheon City 2025 Eco-Friendly Agriculture Award, Excellence Award in the Group Category.

◆ Rural Experience and Education: Sowing the Seeds for Future Agriculture

Sacheon City has also established nationwide competitiveness in the field of rural experiential education.

The Excellence Award in the 2025 Rural Experience Event Development Support Project (awarded to Ucheonbarian Rural Experience and Recreation Village) and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Commendation for Contributions to Rural Tourism Development (awarded to Jeong Youngae, Chairperson of Geobukseon Rural Experience and Recreation Village) demonstrate that rural experiential education has become a key asset connecting education, tourism, and the local economy, far beyond simple experiences.

Geobukseon Rural Experience and Recreation Village has held village festivals for ten years, attracting more than 8,000 tourists annually and growing into a sustainable rural tourism model that combines education, experience, and tourism.

Ucheonbarian Rural Experience and Recreation Village is spreading the appeal of rural life to the community and youth by offering customized educational programs for young people and urban residents, fostering a renewed appreciation for the value of rural areas.

◆ Bringing Agriculture Closer to Citizens by Expanding Experience and Education Infrastructure

Sacheon City’s agricultural administration is undergoing another transformation by relocating and expanding scientific farming facilities within the Agricultural Technology Center site. The installation of smart greenhouses, circular greenhouses, and fruit tree experience demonstration plots not only enables farmers to verify new technologies but also provides citizens with experiential spaces, bringing agriculture closer to everyday life.

Through these efforts, Sacheon City is expanding agriculture beyond production into education, experience, and public value.

Additionally, Sacheon City is realizing the coexistence of environment and agriculture by fostering rural women leaders and providing education on carbon neutrality practices.

By training professional activists for carbon neutrality, conducting practical campaigns, and educating local residents, the city has laid the foundation for farmers to take the lead in environmental protection.

These initiatives are not only yielding short-term results but are also contributing to the safety and health of farmers and the creation of sustainable rural communities.

Sichuan City 2024 Rural Development Project Comprehensive Evaluation Best Organization Photo.

◆ Return-to-Farming, Rural Migration, and Young Farmers: Finding Solutions in the Field

The city’s return-to-farming and rural migration policies also stand out.

Through the operation of the Return-to-Farming and Rural Migration Support Center, Sacheon City provided 314 consultations (192 by phone, 122 in person) to support the stable settlement of prospective returnees. Proactive initiatives such as participating in expos, running experiential events, and promoting through social media and YouTube are producing tangible results in attracting new residents to rural areas.

Most notably, the greatest achievement of Sacheon City’s agricultural administration is its focus on people rather than numbers. The city has built a structure where farmers, citizens, youth, and educational institutions work together, with the administration clearly positioned as a facilitator.

Mayor Park Dongsik stated, "Going forward, we plan to continue people-centered, field-oriented agricultural policies by expanding education that reflects future agricultural trends, strengthening eco-friendly and carbon-neutral agricultural practices, and advancing models that link rural experiences with the local economy."