Rice, barley, wheat — and so much more: Hongcheon children discover the world of grains

Nineteen fourth-grade students from Hongcheon Elementary School in Gangwon Province spent Tuesday learning about mixed grains at Jangpungi Experience Village, a rural activity center in Gaegunjeol-gil, Yeonggwimi-myeon, Hongcheon-gun.

The visit was part of a "food crop healing program," a joint initiative by the National Institute of Crop Science under the Rural Development Administration and Hongcheon-gun.

The program aims to promote consumption of mixed grains — which offer a broad range of nutrients — by turning their diverse value and uses into hands-on content, while also helping participants reduce stress and achieve emotional stability.

The children were surprised to discover how many grains beyond rice and wheat Koreans eat as staple foods. They also learned that each grain carries its own distinct nutrients, and that eating mixed-grain rice provides greater nutritional variety than eating white rice alone.

Activities included feeding mixed grains to free-range chickens, making sorghum crepes, crafting grain cups, and exploring the ecology of various grains.

Through the cooking and craft activities, students came away with a deeper appreciation for agriculture and the importance of food crops.

The content developed this year is designed to accommodate a wide range of participants — elementary school students, families visiting as tourists and adults.

Beyond learning about the characteristics and importance of mixed grains, participants take part in collaborative cooking and sharing activities intended to foster emotional stability, social connection and improved self-esteem.

The food crop healing demonstration series is scheduled to run for eight sessions, with hands-on content — including grain-based cooking experiences — rolled out in sequence.

The Hongcheon-gun Agricultural Technology Center plans to refine and build on the program based on demonstration results, with the goal of expanding it into a sustained, professionally delivered healing program.