On April 11, in celebration of Urban Agriculture Day, the student team Urban Nongsha hosted a public event in the plaza in front of Building 75-1. Urban Nongsha is a student-led initiative formed as part of Seoul National University’s eco-friendly and carbon-neutral student activities. The team has been implementing an open-access urban farming project in the plaza, where anyone passing by is welcome to water the plants or harvest the produce at any time.

  

 The event featured various programs, including seedling planting and a naming contest for the community garden.
Lee Geon-woo (Class of ’23, Department of Applied Biological Chemistry), who participated in the event, shared that he has always had an interest in gardening, and the event deepened his curiosity about urban agriculture. He found the community-building aspect of the event—especially through the “Carrot Club” gathering—particularly impressive. Lee also appreciated the booth’s highly visible location, which made it easily accessible to passersby. He concluded the interview by expressing his hope that the university will further expand urban agriculture spaces, potentially by utilizing areas such as Gwanaksan Mountain.

 Shin Hye-won (Class of ’24, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences), a member of Urban Nongsha and event organizer, shared that the team wanted to create an open space for dialogue where anyone could join, regardless of when they became involved. Their goal is to build a lasting “Little Forest” within the campus—not just a one-time activity, but a long-term project. Shin also reflected on the importance of establishing a shared space that fosters inclusivity and strengthens community bonds. When asked about future plans, she added with a smile, “It would be great if we could all harvest the crops together and enjoy a barbecue.”

 The Urban Nongsha event on Urban Agriculture Day exemplified an “open” form of urban farming—free from restrictions or participation requirements. Like the UK's Incredible Edible and the U.S.’s P-Patch initiatives, successful models of urban agriculture at Seoul National University will require continued student engagement and open channels of communication.