Happy farming programme : an exploratory study from an intergenerational perspective

Authors

Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan UniversityFollow
Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Lingnan University
Cheung Ming, Alfred CHANFollow
Meng Soi, Florence FONGFollow
Hon Yui, Eric WONGFollow
Hoi To, Calvin WONG

Document Type

Paper Series

Publication Date

2005

No.

11 (2005)

Abstract

Background:

To extend the successful experience learnt from the Golden Organic Farming Programme in Tsuen Wan organized by Produce Green Foundation in 2004, a new farming programme entitled “Happy Farming” has been launched in Tuen Mun. A plot of land was leased to Good Tiding Church of Christian National’s Evangelism Commission in Lai Wai Tuen Mun (屯門泥圍佳音福音堂) by the Government. APIAS was invited to design and implement the farming programme in January 2005. Nine volunteers were recruited, including five older people and four youngsters to work together on farming activities including land exploitation, trainings, ploughing, weeding and mass activities such as opening day and harvest day so that intergenerational cooperation and communication could be promoted. By the experience where joint effort is needed, it is expected that the intergenerational programme could bring a certain amount of happiness to the participants.

Objectives:

In order to get a better understanding of the ways farming activities could enhance happiness of the participants and promote intergenerational relationships, an exploratory study on the impacts of farming will be investigated. To make it more specific, the research objectives are addressed as follows:

1. To explore the way(s) of intergenerational cooperations and communications during farming activities;
2. To investigate the association of farming activities towards the increase in happiness of the participants (the old and the young);
3. To identify an effective programme intervention strategy to promote intergenerational support and psychological well-being (happiness) for policy makers.

Paper Series No.

APIAS Monograph Paper Series No.11 (2005)

Recommended Citation

APIAS, LN., IHSS, LN., Chan, C. M. A., Fong, M. S. F., Wong, H. Y. E., & Wong, H. T. C. (2007). Happy farming programme: An exploratory study from an intergenerational perspective (APIAS Monograph Paper Series No.11). Retrieved from Lingnan University website: http://commons.ln.edu.hk/apiasmp/3