Orchard: The Miracle of Nature

By: Seohwa Yun 6th grade

The mysteries of nature are astonishingly wondrous. Isn't it truly remarkable that the soil holds a seed, and that seed grows on its own, nourished by the environment? While there are plants with such strong independence that they can grow on their own, there are also plants, like bean sprouts, that thrive only when humans cover them to block out sunlight. As such, the plant world is strangely systematic, yet simultaneously complex.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could observe this world firsthand and even try growing plants ourselves?

Furthermore, wouldn't it be an excellent learning experience if students could participate and experience it directly?

Project for the Future

Thus, the project that began on March 25, 2025, is the Orchard (Harvest) Project at San Roberto.

The orchard is located on the rooftop next to the laboratory—specifically near Ruth’s office at the San Agustín campus—and so far, we have been cultivating approximately 15 species of plants. The Eco Team regularly goes up to the rooftop to water and harvest them. Currently, we are expanding the space, and both the Eco Team and the teachers are working hard and looking forward to its continued growth.

A Gift Called a Miracle

On January 8, 2025, while the Eco Team teacher was tidying up the orchard, a small, long creature was wriggling on a plant stem. The orchard had, before anyone realized it, become a sanctuary for life.

The creature was a caterpillar. Unable to contain her astonishment, the teacher began taking pictures, only to discover that there was not just one, but several of them. One had already turned into a pupa. It later became a butterfly, laid eggs in the orchard, and then flew away to explore the world.

The orchard is also now sharing its harvest with us. The Harvest Festival we held on December 10 is proof of this. During the festival, the Eco Team invited people who supported us, as well as members of the school community. We shared food such as tomatoes with cheese and lemonade made from what the orchard had given us. It was truly a wonderful miracle to share food from our own orchard, wasn’t it?

Although the orchard was small at first, it has grown over time and has now become a place that embraces life.

We hope you will visit often and look forward to the orchard as it continues to grow.