BUYEO — The Buyeo County Community Vitalization Foundation recently celebrated the successful wrap-up of the "Baekmagang Bakery Class," an initiative designed to activate the community center in the Baekmagang region of Eunsan-myeon. A performance-sharing event was held on November 5 to mark the conclusion of the 10-session program and share its achievements with local residents.

As part of Buyeo County's capacity-building initiatives to activate locally completed public facilities, the Baekmagang District Community Center has operated baking classes utilizing "Buyeo Chestnuts"—a signature local specialty—for three consecutive years since 2024.

Centering around the women’s associations of five local villages (Gagok 1-ri, Gagok 2-ri, Geojeon-ri, Yongdu-ri, and Jangbeol-ri), participants progressed from basic to intermediate baking skills. This year, the participants baked six different types of chestnut-based breads across 10 sessions and ultimately selected three signature items. Notably, participants gained practical confidence in running a community bakery by visiting an advanced community-run bakery cafe in Cheongju.

The recent sharing event served as a platform to report this year's progress to residents and distribute gift sets featuring the three newly developed signature breads.

Buyeo County Mayor Lee Yong-woo praised the initiative, stating, "The attitude of residents taking the initiative to establish a local bakery using regional specialties to combat regional depopulation is the true embodiment of local autonomy."

A women's association member who has participated in the program for three straight years since 2024 shared her thoughts: "This project has brought vitality and confidence to our residents. I hope the scope of support can be expanded so that even more villagers can participate."

In response, a county official stated, "We plan to review venue linkages for next year so that residents can actually attempt commercial sales, and we ask for your continued interest and participation."

For further inquiries regarding the project, contact the Rural Vitality Support Center of the Buyeo County Community Vitalization Foundation at +82-41-837-1447.

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