Chou-Nan Salt Field Introduction
1. The Zhounan Salt Field was established in 1824 and was completely shut down in 2001 due to national policy affecting salt fields all over Taiwan. In 2008, we applied for the "Cultural Asset Rebirth" project from the Ministry of Culture's Bureau of Cultural Heritage. With the assistance of a group of old salt workers, we began renovations and resumed salt production. Since 2009, we have been receiving subsidies from the Chiayi County Cultural Center, and it has been 18 years till now. 2. The Zhounan Salt Field is committed to innovative sustainable development, giving new life to traditional salt industry culture and abandoned salt fields through practical salt production, operating in dual modes with reservation-based "environmental education" activities and "series salt product sales," thus transforming brilliantly and creating cultural value. In 2016, we received the Excellent Award in the group category of the National Environmental Education Award, and in 2021, our algae salt won the "Local Specialty Award" in the Regional Revitalization Awards organized by the Taiwan Regional Revitalization Alliance. In 2024, we were selected as a "Social Innovation Product" by the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Social Innovation Platform and received recognition from The United Daily News with the "Taste of the Earth Award." 3. The Zhounan Salt Field produces natural sun-dried sea salt using craftsman techniques, maintaining stable salt production operations. We integrate traditional salt industry practices with modern technology and management as an important strategy for preserving and recreating salt culture and salt pond landscapes. During the renovation and resumption process, we strive to retain the historical texture of the original salt field structure while also meeting the demand for public service facilities for environmental education and improving production efficiency and quality to meet contemporary societal consumption needs. 4. The Zhounan Salt Field covers an area of approximately 20 hectares, with only over 2 hectares designated as the main salt production area. The remaining 18 hectares maintain the wetland ecological environment resulting from the natural evolution of abandoned salt fields, attracting many migratory birds to the salt field. We create a wetland ecology based on salt production, constructing an environment that is friendly to both culture and ecology for environmental education. Additionally, through communication with consumers about our salt products, we convey the important concept of "friendly interaction between humans and nature" through the formula "Water, Land, Scenery, and People Salt." 5. The Zhounan Salt Field is managed by the Chiayi County Budai Cultural Association under a "lease and public sponsorship" agreement signed with the Chiayi County Cultural and Tourism Bureau. The association was established in 2002, originating from the Budai Cultural Workshop founded in 1996. Initially, it focused on cultural and historical research, publishing local publications, and familiarizing with local culture. Later, it shifted its focus to deeply engaging with salt industry cultural assets, aiming to cultivate local culture in collaboration with enthusiastic local residents, enhance quality of life, and increase local value.
Carrefour Agricultural Food Feast
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