Every Saturday morning, the Life Science Garden at the Tzu Chi Education Campus in Walnut, California, comes alive with the energy of young volunteers. Tzu Shaos (Tzu Chi's teen volunteers) and other local high school students gather in the fields, ready to get their hands dirty. This farm is more than just a plot of land for growing vegetables; it is a living classroom where young people connect with the earth and learn profound lessons about life, responsibility, and the value of every living being.
The program is designed to be an immersive experience in character education. Guided by dedicated adult volunteers, the students learn the fundamentals of farming, from sowing seeds and irrigating crops to the final harvest. Through this process, they gain a tangible understanding of the effort that goes into producing food and develop a deep respect for nature’s cycles.
Hands-On Lessons in Cherishing Life
The work on the farm is varied and purposeful. On any given Saturday, students can be found preparing garden beds for the spring planting, carefully turning the soil, and learning the proper techniques for nurturing young plants.
LEFT: Volunteer Hui-Yuan Li (李慧媛) demonstrates how to turn the soil for the Tzu Shao members. RIGHT: Tzu Shao volunteers practice turning the soil in the garden bed as demonstrated by Hui-Yuan Li. | Photos: Hsiu-Wen Chen | USA
"I've learned so much here," shared You-Jun Jin (金又俊), a Tzu Shao volunteer. "Things like which tools to use for different jobs and why some soil is better for certain plants. Even though it was really hot today and some of the work was hard, I had a lot of fun. It’s a great experience to help Tzu Chi grow quality organic vegetables for people to eat."
The lessons are often specific and practical. "Today, I learned how to plant strawberries," said Xin-Ran Tu, a fellow Tzu Shao. "You have to water them at the roots in the soil; otherwise, they can get sick."
This direct engagement with the natural world fosters a sense of care and mindfulness. The students are not just completing tasks; they are actively participating in the life cycle of the plants they tend.
LEFT: Kim Yoo-Joon shovels fine sand into a garden bed to be used for compost. RIGHT: Volunteer Hui-Yuan Li (right) shows Tzu Shao volunteers and a parent the correct way to water the plants. | Photos: Hsiu-Wen Chen | USA
A Lesson in Ecological Harmony
One of the most significant lessons the farm imparts is an appreciation for ecological balance. The students learn to see the farm as a complete ecosystem, where every element has a role to play.
Jia-Qi Wang (王嘉琪), a student from a nearby high school who volunteers weekly, explained a recent task. "Our job was to move some wet, clay-like soil and mix it with dry grass and other soils. The volunteer leader told us that heavy, wet soil isn't good for the plants, so we had to break it up carefully."
Her learning went beyond soil composition. "We also have to distinguish between different types of insects," she continued. "The volunteer leader introduces us to common and uncommon ones. If we find pests, we don't handle them ourselves. We give them to her, and she feeds them to the birds. This is a way of not killing, and it helps balance the ecosystem. Feeding the pests to the birds is a choice that supports other life."
This approach allows students to see solutions that are both compassionate and practical. "Through this, I learn more about planting methods," Jia-Qi added with a smile. "When we have questions, we ask the volunteers to make the right decision. I feel like I gain so much every time I come here."
Bridging Generations and Nurturing Growth
The program thrives on the connection between the young students and the adult volunteers who mentor them. Volunteer Hui-Yuan Li (李慧媛) finds great joy in working alongside the teenagers. "I love this opportunity to work with them in the garden," she said. "In the process, I get to understand how young people today think, which can sometimes be a little different from our generation."
She believes this understanding is crucial for creating a supportive environment. For her, passing on knowledge is a rewarding experience. "I feel that as adults, we can pass on this knowledge, bit by bit, to the next generation. The point isn't how much they absorb. If I talk about ten things and they learn just one that helps them in the future, it’s all worth it.
The students' curiosity and enthusiasm are a constant source of inspiration for her. "Whenever I explain something to our young volunteers, I see their eyes light up with a look that says, 'Wow! Is that really how it works?' It makes everything I do feel meaningful and worthwhile."
Ben Tu, Deputy CEO of the Tzu Chi USA Education Foundation, noted the program's dual benefit. "The most important thing is for them to learn the Tzu Chi spirit of loving all life and protecting the earth," he explained. The program also provides a practical pathway for students to earn volunteer hours, making them eligible for the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), which can be a significant asset in their college applications. He gave special credit to volunteer Teresa, whose long-term dedication has been instrumental in guiding the youth and growing the program.
As the "High School Student Volunteer Program" at the Walnut Life Science Farm continues to flourish, it draws more and more young people eager to make a difference. It stands as a testament to the idea that by nurturing a small plot of land, we can also nurture compassionate, responsible, and engaged individuals who will care for their communities and the planet for years to come.
Written by Hsin-Yi Li (李心怡) and Ben Tu (杜賓)
Source: 核桃慈少學習農務 藉事練心利人利己
