Zoey Zhu, G 11, RDF International School

In 2022, to foster an appreciation for agriculture and food, a friend and I founded the Agronomic Club on campus.

Initially, due to the limited number of members and scant farming area available, we used our spare time for farm work. As the available farming area gradually expanded, we sought new members to join us in farm activities during the second semester. Surprisingly, there was substantial interest, resulting in an influx of new members. Recognizing the growing cohort, it became clear that organizing a weekly meeting was essential for managing teamwork and sharing information. So we gathered contact information from each member’s homeroom teacher and established a WeChat group for arranging meeting details. However, we realized that some members lacked access to the information within the school premises. Consequently, to ensure wider participation, we applied to have our meetings included in the school’s extracurricular activity (ECA) sessions, so that our weekly gatherings could go smoothly.

Another significant challenge arose in effectively communicating with members. Many were dissatisfied with inadequate tools and resources for cultivating desired fruits and vegetables, and several quit the club. To better solve the problem, I discussed with other team leaders of the club to find solutions. We designed online questionnaires to gather feedback from members, and purchased new tools and a variety of plant seeds based on their preferences. I also devoted many hours to research into practical planting methods and agricultural knowledge, which I shared with members during club meetings.

Embarking from ground zero to establish the club has been a taxing and arduous journey, yet it presented a valuable opportunity for my personal growth. Despite numerous obstacles, I remained steadfast in my commitment to the club, tackling each challenge head-on. This not only honed my interpersonal skills but also instilled in me courage and a sanguine attitude toward life. It’s easy to give up, but it pays off to stick with it.