HAnds-on Sustainable Farming Hub: Cultivating Leadership through Green Practices
The HAnds-on Sustainable Farming Hub is an innovative initiative launched as part of the HAnds-on Green Leadership Programme at HSUHK’s Residential College (RC) for the academic year 2024-2025, Semester 2. This programme invites Honours Academy (HA) students to immerse themselves in sustainable farming while simultaneously developing essential leadership skills through experiential learning.
HA students had the opportunity to manage shared farming plots on the RC grounds, transforming these spaces into living classrooms. Students engaged in the entire agricultural process, from preparing the soil and planting seeds to nurturing crops and ultimately harvesting them. This hands-on experience does not only foster teamwork and collaboration but also cultivates important leadership qualities as students navigate the challenges of managing a garden throughout the seasons.
The programme emphasises learning sustainable agricultural practices that go beyond traditional gardening. Students receive training in techniques such as composting, organic pest management, and efficient water usage. These skills empower them to reduce their ecological footprints and enhance their understanding of environmental responsibility, reinforcing the connection between individual actions and their impact on the planet.
At the conclusion of their farming experience, another highlight of this initiative was the interactive booth titled “Shining Bright, Growing Green 🌱: Honours Academy Discovery Day,” held on 4 September 2025. This event was organised by Tracy Cheng and Chloe Lee from the 4th Cohort, along with Carlos Leung from the 5th Cohort. The booth featured engaging challenges related to sustainability leadership and organic farming. Participants had the opportunity to answer questions and compete to win mini plants or packets of seeds.
The HAands-on Sustainable Farming Hub offers HA students a unique opportunity to blend agricultural knowledge with leadership development rooted in sustainability. By engaging in green actions through the practice of sustainable farming and organic planting, students not only enhance their own health and personal well-being but also contribute significantly to the HSUHK community. As they sow the seeds of sustainability, they look forward to a flourishing sense of responsibility and the cultivation of a greener future within the community.