A farm visit focusing on soil

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On the last Monday of February 2023, HomelandGreen arranged a half-day soil learning activity on the fields for about 30 Grade 4 children and teachers from Harbour School, an international school at Ap Lei Chau.

Visiting the farm, the children chatted with the farmer face to face, had a smell of the soil, observed in person the fields growing commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, and conducted some simple experiments on the soil as a first step to learn about soil health. Plants of different sizes, leaves of various shapes, fruits of different colours, and exotic plants with familiar fruits.  For them, everything was so interesting.

The pupils were asked to compare the soil characteristics of fields with different amount of vegetation coverage; the condition of plants growing on different fields; the number of small animals on the soil surface; the tiny animals living in the soil, the depth of roots; the temperature, percolation capability, and the degree of compaction of the soil; color, texture and structure of the soil samples; and to observe the numerous soil microorganisms under the microscope. They had a close encounter with the living soil and came to understand that soil is far from lifeless dirt.

By bringing children in close contact with the living soil and making them aware of the importance of the relationship between soil health and plant health, we sow the seeds for engaging the next generation in soil conservation and nurturing them to become responsible consumers with the earth’s ecology in mind.

The smiling faces of the children in the fields are the best evidence that urban children should have more opportunities to be in touch with nature.

Key messages

• Soil is the home of many living things.
• Soil life is good friends to plants and plants are good friends to soil life.
• Healthy plants grow on healthy soil.

Activities

1. Saying hello to the farmer–let’s find out the story of the farmer.
2. Saying hello to above ground life–let’s find out what plants are growing on the farm.
3. Saying hello to life on soil surface–let’s find out the living creatures on soil surface.
4. Saying hello to underground life and learning about their home–let’s find out who’re living underground and how it is like to live underground.
5. Saying hello to soil life too small to be seen
6. Building a cozy home for soil life

HomelandGreen would like to give big thanks to Eva, the farmer, for providing the venue and facilities, and to our volunteering friends who made the event possible.