Integrated Farm B

CHILDREN AND SENSORY GARDEN

Children and Sensory Garden is a self-interaction garden concept that allows visitors to enjoy a wide variety of sensory experiences. Sensory gardens are designed to provide opportunities to stimulate the senses, both individually and in combination, in ways that visitors may not usually encounter. Located in the heart of Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, this 20-acre garden is specifically designed for children and disabled people to provide them with the best experience surrounding the tranquility of the garden. Children and Sensory Garden strive to maximize the sensory impact that the garden has on its visitors. Thus, the garden is themed and divided into 5 sections which are sound, touch, smell, taste, and sight. Each theme has its own characteristics.

• Sound Garden is developed to stimulate hearing by choosing plant flora that make noise when the wind passes through them such as bamboo stems.
• Touch Garden allows plants that offer interesting textures which is suitable for encouraging the sense of touch such as lamb’s ear and some physical floor hardscape design would be perfect to fulfill this theme.
• Smell Garden offers a wide range of flowers which are full of mingling aromas, sweet smelling herbs and spices that could provide ample opportunity for stimulation.
• Taste Garden is focusing on edible fruits, vegetables and spices planted in a sensory garden allow visitors an opportunity to experience
• Sight Garden provides visual interest to a sensory garden that can be achieved by incorporating plants with different barkbloom, leaf, bark, and stem colors provide visual appeal as well.

The objectives of a Children and Sensory Garden are to provide a stimulating and educational environment that promotes various aspects of a child's development, including:

1. Sensory Stimulation: Engage all five senses - sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing - to enhance sensory awareness and exploration
2. Learning: Foster curiosity, creativity, and learning through hands-on experiences with nature
3. Physical Activity: Encourage physical play, such as running, jumping, and climbing, to promote gross motor skills
4. Emotional Well-being: Provide a peaceful and calming space for relaxation and stress relief

Social Interaction: Create opportunities for group activities, teamwork, and social development

THE ORGANIC UNIT

The Organic Unit, Faculty of Agriculture was developed in 2014, with an area of 2 hectares with various plots of organic crops such as leafy and fruit vegetables, herbs and fruits. The organic unit has obtained myOrganic certification in 2019 where all teaching, research and crop production activities are based on the Malaysian Standard MS 1529:2015 Plant-based organically produced food-Requirements for production, processing, handling, labelling and marketing (First revision).  

Organic Units are active in showcasing activities including receiving requests for farm visits from schools and communities. We also offers a variety of agricultural activities for learning, industry networking and community to recognize and disseminate knowledge and create awareness on organic agriculture including activities such as industrial training from local and international university students, as well as annual programmes (starting 2014) organized by the Organic Unit 'Children's Organic Education for Healthy Nutrition' as well as collaboration with workshops and hands on activities with NGOs such as the Malaysian Biochar Society and the Malaysian Cancer Society.

Updated:: 17/01/2024 [wazien]