Kwak Jin-young operates a third-generation dairy cattle farm in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to maintain her family's long-standing agricultural tradition [1].
Her work represents a commitment to generational farming in an era of rapid urbanization. As the farm is located near the city, Kwak focuses on maintaining high cleanliness standards to ensure the operation remains sustainable and compatible with its surroundings [1].
Kwak, 33, has been working the farm in earnest for eight years [1]. She manages a herd of approximately 85 milking cows [1]. The daily routine is rigorous, requiring her to wake at 4 a.m. to begin the first of two daily milking sessions [1].
"When I wake up at 4, I check if there were any issues with the cows overnight, if they ate their feed well, and check other alarms before turning on the machine and preparing for the early morning milking," Kwak said [1].
The milking process occurs twice daily, specifically at 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. [1]. This schedule is essential for the health of the herd, and the quality of the dairy production. By taking over the operations previously run by her grandmother and father, Kwak ensures the continuity of the family business — a rarity among her peers in the region [1].
Throughout her eight years of active management, Kwak has balanced the technical demands of modern dairy farming with the physical labor required to maintain the livestock [1]. Her approach combines the traditional knowledge passed down through three generations, and the discipline required to run a commercial dairy operation in a province known for its industrial growth [1].
“Kwak Jin-young operates a third-generation dairy cattle farm in Pyeongtaek.”
The persistence of third-generation farming in Gyeonggi Province highlights the tension between South Korea's urban expansion and its agricultural heritage. Kwak's focus on cleanliness and strict scheduling suggests that for small-scale dairy farms to survive near urban centers, they must adopt rigorous management standards to avoid conflict with residential growth and environmental regulations.
