Shin Shin-ho, chairman of the Jincheon-gun Farmers’ Association Council, received the Prime Minister’s Award. Jincheon-gun Agricultural Technology Center (Director Ki-soon Nam) announced on the 13th that Shin Shin-ho (59 years old, male), chairman of the Jincheon-gun Farmers’ Association Council, received the Prime Minister’s Award at the 29th Farmers’ Day event.
Farmer’s Day is a day designated as a legal holiday on November 11th every year to encourage farmers’ pride and self-esteem and to remind them of the importance of agriculture.
Chairman Shin, who was selected as the winner, has been representing 34 farmer organizations in Jincheon-gun, strengthening cooperation on each group’s projects and activities, and promoting joint events such as the Jincheon-gun Farmers’ Day event and a prayer ceremony for safe farming.
In addition, he contributed to improving the rights and interests of local farmers through the promotion, exhibition, and sales center of agricultural specialties at the Saenggeo-Jincheon Cultural Festival. In the past, he served as president of the Agricultural Managers Association, president of the Saenggeo-Jincheon Watermelon Association, and senior vice president of the Jincheon-gun Association of Rural Leaders.
Nam Ki-soon, director of the Jincheon-gun Agricultural Technology Center, said, “I congratulate Chairman Shin on his award for his silent support for Jincheon-gun agriculture and farmers. Going forward, we will continue to cooperate with the Jincheon-gun Farmers’ Association Council to lead future agriculture.”
Meanwhile, Jincheon-gun is the first county in North Chungcheong Province to establish and operate a county symphony orchestra comprised of adults, opening a new chapter in local culture and arts.
Starting with the member appointment ceremony last August, the Saenggeojincheon County Symphony Orchestra has been performing brilliantly in the local community, with 18 professional musicians from 9 parts, including violin and viola, joining.
Unlike most public symphony orchestras across the country, which are operated at the metropolitan or general city level, the Saenggeojincheon County Symphony Orchestra has special significance in that it is the first symphony orchestra composed of professional adult musicians in a county-level local government in North Chungcheong Province.
Recently, cultural and artistic infrastructure across the country has expanded significantly in quantitative terms, but qualitative growth in providing opportunities for actual cultural enjoyment has been slow. Jincheon-gun’s decision is attracting attention as a new attempt to move away from hardware-centered cultural policies and focus on strengthening software.
A unique feature of the Saenggeojincheon County Symphony Orchestra is the ‘county member’ system.
The 13 citizen members who came together purely out of passion for music without any separate monthly allowance are local residents who are active in various occupations such as teachers, self-employed people, and office workers.
The Saenggeo-Jincheon County Symphony Orchestra, formed in this way, made its debut to the residents of the county by performing in collaboration with musical actor Hong Ji-min’s gala show at the 44th Saenggeo-Jincheon Cultural Festival held last October.
It was a successful debut stage, drawing a warm response from the audience with a diverse repertoire ranging from classical music to musical music. In the future, they plan to prepare regular concerts and visiting concerts as well as special special performances with local members.
Conductor Kang Soo-hyung expressed his ambition, saying, “The ensemble created by professional musicians and residents of the county will become a special cultural asset unique to Jincheon-gun,” and added, “We will grow into a symphony orchestra that breathes together in the daily lives of residents.”
Jincheon-gun Mayor Song Ki-seop said, “The launch of the county symphony orchestra can be seen as a symbol that Jincheon-gun is achieving qualitative growth beyond quantitative growth.” He added, “The symphony orchestra is a key driving force for realizing ‘Regional Development 3.0,’ the vision of the second half of the 8th popular election, and serves as a source of support for the citizens of the county.” “We will spare no effort to support it so that it can grow into a cultural brand that people can be proud of.”
The Saenggeojincheon County Symphony Orchestra plans to meaningfully end its first year by holding a 2024 year-end concert to commemorate its founding at the Hwarang Hall on November 23rd at 5 p.m.
Economy Queen reporter Hana Choi photo Jincheon-gun
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Agricultural Expert Dr. Min Jung-ho
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Dr. Min Jung-ho! It’s a pleasure to have you here today. Recently, Shin Shin-ho received the Prime Minister’s Award during the Farmers’ Day celebrations. What does this recognition mean for local farmers in Jincheon-gun?
Dr. Min Jung-ho (DJ): Thank you for having me! The Prime Minister’s Award is a significant honor. It not only recognizes Chairman Shin’s contributions to the farming community but also highlights the critical role that agriculture plays in our society. This acknowledgment can boost morale among farmers and reinforce their pride in their work, which is especially important in a time when the agricultural sector faces numerous challenges.
TNE: Absolutely. Chairman Shin has led various farmer organizations and initiated projects that strengthen cooperation among them. Can you elaborate on the importance of such collaborations?
DJ: Of course! Collaboration among farmer organizations is vital for several reasons. It fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, allowing farmers to pool resources and knowledge. This collective approach can enhance productivity and innovation. Events like the Jincheon-gun Farmers’ Day and the prayer ceremony for safe farming not only create unity but also encourage best practices and greater awareness of agricultural issues.
TNE: That’s insightful. You mentioned the significance of these community events. How do they impact the rights and interests of local farmers, as we saw with the promotion of agricultural specialties at the Saenggeo-Jincheon Cultural Festival?
DJ: Events like this festival are crucial for visibility. By showcasing local agricultural products, farmers can build a direct connection with consumers, often leading to better sales and increased demand for their goods. These kinds of initiatives also help farmers advocate for their rights, ensuring that their voices are heard in policy discussions. It’s about creating a robust local economy that functions effectively through mutual support between producers and consumers.
TNE: Shifting topics, Jincheon-gun has recently made waves in the cultural landscape with the establishment of the Saenggeojincheon County Symphony Orchestra. How do you see this development enriching local communities?
DJ: The creation of the county symphony orchestra is a groundbreaking step for community culture. It brings together professional musicians and local residents, facilitating a unique exchange of skills and creativity. This initiative not only enriches cultural offerings but also promotes a sense of pride among locals. It highlights the shift towards qualitative growth in cultural experiences, emphasizing community engagement over traditional top-down cultural policies.
TNE: Indeed. The orchestra operates with volunteer citizen members, which is a refreshing model. What implications does this have for community involvement in cultural activities?
DJ: This model fosters a sense of ownership among community members. When individuals participate out of passion rather than financial incentive, it creates a more genuine and engaged environment. Such involvement can lead to new relationships, collaboration, and continuous cultural evolution within the community. It encourages people to explore their interests and talents, contributing to a richer cultural fabric.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Min, for this enlightening discussion. It’s clear that both agriculture and culture play pivotal roles in fostering strong communities in Jincheon-gun. Any final thoughts you would like to share?
DJ: Thank you for having me! I believe that the synergy between agriculture and culture, as demonstrated in Jincheon-gun, can serve as an inspiring model for other regions. By valuing both sectors, we can move toward more sustainable and vibrant communities that honor their heritage while paving the way for future generations.
TNE: Well said! We look forward to the positive developments in Jincheon-gun and hope to hear more about these initiatives soon. Thank you again for your time, Dr. Min!
DJ: Thank you! It was my pleasure.