Chung Chi College is dedicated to bringing new elements into the “Learning through Serving: Student-Oriented Teaching” (STOT) course, of which the newly established “Organic Planting” class represented a key innovation this year. Besides planting vegetables, what did the students learn? In this issue, Ms. Ngai (Integrated BBA/1) and Ms. Leung (Gerontology/1) have been invited to share their experiences about how this class raised their awareness of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Q: Before participating in the course, how much do you know about organic planting?

A: Before participating in the course, our only planting experience was the “One Person, One Flower Scheme” during primary school, growing flowers in pots at home for a few months. That experience made us learn the basic needs of plants, such as water, sunshine and nutrients. However, our knowledge of organic planting was limited to prohibiting chemical pesticides, as we were unfamiliar with its concepts and practices.

Students enrolled in the organic planting class were taught the basic knowledge and practices of organic planting by the instructor.

Q: Can you share your various experiences with the course?

A: Over the past two months, we have been tending our “farm” with various kinds of radishes and other vegetables. From sowing and thinning to fertilizing and watering, we took care of every step. Observing the seeds sprout into seedlings and then grow into mature crops gave us a strong sense of achievement.

In class, we learned how to make natural nutrient solutions and insecticidal liquids. By using products made from fermented orange peels and chilies to protect crops, we understood that organic farming involves pest control measures by natural methods to mitigate the impact of pests and diseases on plants. Throughout the learning journey, we were glad to explore a novel field in a relaxed and enjoyable environment, gaining knowledge through hands-on experience.

Ms. Ngai (right) and Ms. Leung (left) agreed to be more focused on organic factors in their daily lives, trying to practice a more sustainable lifestyle.

Q: Did you encounter any difficulties while studying this course? Is there anything you have gained?

A: During cultivation, our seedlings grew obviously more slowly than those of other groups. Unlike the other lush pots with healthy plants, our crops had a short appearance, and our pot was sparse. Some seedlings even failed to survive. Still, we learned to calmly observe the problems, seek solutions, and eventually discovered that our planting pot was less exposed to sunlight than the others, which seriously affected the growth of our crops.

After that, we paid more attention to regular watering with natural nutrient solutions to help the crops grow. We also accepted our failure with the withered seedlings and replanted new ones. Although the environmental disadvantages hindered the crop growth, we understood that consistent efforts and attentive care could still bring some positive outcomes. The failure experience also made us cherish our hard-earned harvests more. In addition to gaining joy and the harvest, we experienced our personal growth in patience, perseverance, and problem-solving skills.

Q: After completing this course, what is your opinion on organic planting and organic food? Are you willing to adopt a more organic lifestyle?

A: After experiencing organic planting, we gained a deeper understanding of its practices and processes and realised that it requires patience and ongoing commitment from the planters. We also changed our perspective on organic food. Previously, we thought it simply meant food grown without using chemical pesticides and that it was a choice for a healthier lifestyle.

However, after completing the course, we understand that organic planting also considers minimising harm to the environment by applying the concepts of ecological balance and seeking coexistence between humans and nature. Although the price of organic food is higher than that of conventional food, we will try to apply a more organic lifestyle, such as consuming organic vegetables, which represent health and sustainability.

Student Reporter Ngai Hoi Kiu