The Living Land Farm

Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Improved governance of green or blue areas

1. Making better use of the land and not only focusing on farming but also on sharing traditional culture and supporting the local community. 2. Preserving traditional agricultural methods and exploring organic farming techniques to improve soil quality and the management of flooding events. 3. Educating young farmers about traditional and organic farming techniques. 4. Sharing Lao cultural experiences with others through educational programs. 5. Showcasing traditional rice growing to tourists. 6. Supporting local community by employing locals (including from marginalized groups), providing educational funding for students in the community; establishing emergency fund for medical fees and providing fresh water to part of the village that still lack of water. (Ref. 1,3,4,6)

Agricultural and cultural activities: 1. Rice paddies: The farm preserves local rice field and use traditional wet planting and organic methods in growing rice. The traditional wet-planting methods for rice fields involve filling and retaining water in the field to grow rice. Therefore, the rice field has the ability to retain water for certain period of time. The farm also adopt some new methods in grain selection and plantings in cooperation with Department of Agriculture. 2. Organic vegetable gardens: The farm use various methods such as composting, feeding with bio-energy from plants and fruits, rotating crops and leaving beds fallow. The farm also interplant with tobacco, marigold and herbs to discourage insects and allow vegetable to grow naturally. 3. Bamboo weaving into basket, hat and other possible merchandise. 4. Producing by-products from rice and vegetables such as rice wine, snacks and flour. Educational activities: 1. Rice experience: visitors can learn about the planting and harvesting rice 2. Practice field for The Northern College of Agriculture students: Third year students will come and spend their time at the farm learning about organic farming. Additional activities: 1. Offering homestay facilities for visitors to fully experience the life of local farmers. 2. Serving local Lao dishes in the Terrace Restaurant by using vegetables and products from the farm. 3. Selling farm’s products to hotels and restaurants in town. 4. Hiring local people including those with learning difficulties or physical diversities. 5. Supporting various community projects such as free food for those in need, educational sponsorship for local students and free English classes for the locals. 6. Organising rice harvesting festival for everyone in the village to join. 7. Creating a well in the farm and pump water to supply part of the village that lack of water. (Ref.1,2,3,4,6)

• Citizens or community groups
• Marginalized groups: Elderly people, Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed), People with functional diversities
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)