2019年7月份見識之旅縮影 　　7月份見識之旅活動，於2019年7月27日由呂明澐小姐帶領26位祐生見習生及其家長們，進行苗栗黃金小鎮水圳文化暨紅棗農遊之旅。出發當日天氣晴朗，見習生們及其家長皆準時集合並出發。活動開始之初，領隊呂明澐小姐提醒本次活動注意事項及觀察重點，先行建立見習生的背景知識。 　　For the study tour of July 27, 2019, Ms Lu Ming-yun led 26 ARF interns and their parents to Golden Town in Miaoli to learn about irrigation canals and red jujube cultivation. It was clear and sunny on the day of the tour, and the interns and their parents were on time for the departure. At the start of the day's activities, team leader Ms. Lu Ming-yun reminded everyone about things to note and what to observe, and gave the interns some background knowledge. 　　本次行程以苗栗公館黃金小鎮為主軸，上午行程首先進行蜂蠟布DIY，開始之前，導覽老師先行介紹蜂蠟是工蜂分泌的蠟，用於蜂巢內建構一格格的房間，分泌一份蜂蠟約須覓食八份蜂蜜，故純天然蜂蠟得來不易，其應用範圍十分廣泛，潤唇膏、保養品、古代富有人家使用之蠟燭皆有蜂蠟蹤跡。一般來源主要是採集蜜蜂於春夏繁殖期建造的贅巢（蜂農稱違章建築）及舊巢，導覽老師特別提醒，有些蜂農基於成本考量，提供給蜜蜂築巢的地基會混以石蠟製作，若將舊巢直接融化後銷售，該蜂蠟便混雜石蠟成份，不適合做與食用用途相關成品，如蜂蠟布，因此自行購買蜂蠟布時應謹慎。接著進行蜂蠟布DIY，導覽老師說明蜂蠟布使用與清潔注意事項，因蜂蠟熔點低，不可包裹過熱的食物，否則棉布上的蜂蠟容易融化。隨後前往紅棗園採果，在導覽老師解說採果要訣後，眾人開始進行採摘作業，因是首次見到新鮮紅棗，見習生皆感到十分新奇。 　　Focusing on Golden Town in Miaoli, the study tour began with DIY beeswax wraps in the morning. Before the DIY activity starts, the tour guide explained that beeswax is wax secreted by worker bees and it is used to construct combs of their hive. Secreting one portion of beeswax requires the ingestion of eight portions of honey, thus natural beeswax is precious. Beeswax has extensive applications, including use as lip balm and in skincare products. In ancient times, candles used by wealthy families contained beeswax. Beeswax is mainly harvested from burr combs built by bees in unwanted places during spring-summer reproduction period and from old combs. The tour guide warned that some farmers use paraffin wax to build the foundation for the beehives due to cost consideration. If the old combs from such beehives are sold after they are melted, the beeswax mixed with paraffin wax will not be suitable for use in food products. Thus, one should be careful when purchasing beeswax wrap. During the DIY activity, the tour guide explained the use of beeswax wrap and how to wash it. Due to the beeswax's low melting point, the beeswax wrap cannot be used to wrap hot food otherwise the beeswax on the cotton fabric will melt. At the red jujube orchard, the tour guide provided instruction before everyone started plucking the fruits. The interns thought it was an interestingly new experience as it was the first time they saw fresh red jujubes. 　　中午飯後，至苗栗特色館參訪，該館除了陳設在地農特產品，亦介紹苗栗陶瓷產業的概況。日治時期關刀山大地震翻出細緻土質（黏土礦），加上發現石油、天然氣及煤炭，十分適合窯燒，優厚的天然資源促使陶業蓬勃發展。接著前往穿龍耕學農園，導覽老師透過投影片講述公館鄉黃金小鎮名稱由來、產業發展、周邊環境及社區推動農遊觀光之相關活動，並解釋苗栗公館為全台唯一紅棗產區，係由於灌溉水源富含礦物質、土壤瀝水性佳，又雪山山脈順著後龍溪吹來的冷風，降低果實蠅的危害，得天獨厚的地理環境正適合紅棗生長。解說完畢後，眾人步行前往穿龍水圳，導覽老師沿途說明水圳建造歷史與對當地居民的重要性，其引自後龍溪上游的清澈的水質，為公館鄉適合栽種農作物的關鍵之一，可稱之為該地的生命之河。至此，本日活動已近尾聲，大家一起合照留念後搭車返程，並期待於下次見識之旅再相見。 　　After lunch, everyone visited Miaoli Cultural Park. Besides the showcase of local agricultural products, the park also provides an overview of the ceramics industry in Miaoli. During the Japanese Occupation, the the Shinchiku-Taichu earthquake unearthed refined soil, and with the discovery of petroleum, natural gas and coal, the ceramics industry began to boom with the abundance of natural resources. At the next destination, Chuan Long Education Farm, the tour guide introduced, with the use of slides, the origin of the name "Golden Town", its industrial development, surrounding environment and the community's promotion of agricultural tourism. The tour guide also explained that Gongguan, Miaoli, is the only red jujube production area in Taiwan as its unique geographical environment is ideal for the growth of red jujube, providing mineral-rich irrigation water, well-drained soil, and cold wind blowing along Houlong River from Xueshan Range reduces the infestation of fruit flies. After the slide presentation, everyone made their way to Chuan-long Canal on foot. Along the way, the tour guide explained the construction of the canal and its importance to the local residents. The pristine water drawn from Houlong Creek is the key reason why Gongguan is suitable for growing crops, and is essentially the river of life of the locality. At this point, the day's itinerary came to an end. Everyone took a group photo before heading back and looked forward to the next study tour.

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