Utah State University (USU) Joins National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) for Taiwan Agriculture and Ecology Study Camp

From May 15 to May 24, six students from Utah State University (USU), led by Ms. Andree Bravo and Ms. Dora Brunson, participated in the "NCHU 2024 Summer Uni+ Program at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU). This 10-day Taiwan Agriculture and Ecology Study Camp immersed USU students in Taiwan's agro-ecotourism. Dean Chih-Feng Chen and Vice Dean Shaw-Yhi Hwang of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at NCHU warmly welcomed the USU faculty and students, strengthening the ties between the two universities.

NCHU students enrolled in the "Agro-ecotourism" course, offered by the International Bachelor Program in Agribusiness (IBPA), collaborated to showcase Taiwanese agriculture and ecology. This practical application of classroom knowledge requires students to design and implement their learning outcomes. This year's camp, the third of its kind, aimed to expose international students to the diversity of Taiwan's agriculture and ecology.

Highlights of the study camp include:
1. Educational Offerings: Participants attended a variety of agricultural courses at NCHU, including
 Beekeeping Management by the Department of Entomology
 Dairy Product Production by the Department of Animal Science
 Food Processing Practice by the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology
 International Tea Production and Marketing by the Graduate Institute of Bio-Industry Management
 Agribusiness Management, Pesticides, and Ecology by the IBPA

2. Community Engagement: In partnership with the Wu-Feng District Farmers' Association, students visited the eco-friendly, Black-shouldered Kite Rice production site in Wu-Feng. This experience highlighted the biodiversity of rice paddy ecosystems and engaged students in habitat restoration for the Black-shouldered Kite, fostering symbiotic relationships between farmers and nature.

3. Student-Led Initiatives: The camp was orchestrated by NCHU students from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the fully English-taught IBPA program. Continuing the tradition of previous years, these students were tasked with planning, designing, and guiding the camp, effectively showcasing Taiwan's rich agriculture, ecology, and culture.

The collaborative efforts of local associations and government agencies such as the Wu-Feng Agricultural Production and Marketing Group of Aromatic Rice, Wu-Feng Farmers' Association, and the Taichung Branch of the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, have established Wu-Feng as a model for eco-friendly agriculture, now spanning 100 ha. Since 2018, conservation groups, including the Leopard Cat Association of Taiwan and the Wild Bird Association of Taiwan, have joined forces to enhance the region's ecological sustainability and food safety. Local farmers have set up perches in the fields, "inviting" the Black-shouldered Kites to patrol and protect rice yields by capturing sparrows and rodents, making Wu-Feng's Black-shouldered Kite Rice a pioneer in eco-friendly agricultural practices in Taiwan.

Through the Taiwan Agriculture and Ecology Study Camp, National Chung Hsing University aims to inspire students to embrace the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include fostering international partnerships, ensuring food security, and maintaining balance within terrestrial ecosystems.