Youdian Grass Ecological Farm Introduction
This is a story of a tech talent who left a high-paying job to return to the mountains. Here, one can hear a struggle intertwined with concern for the environment and the warmth of community. It is a great place for children to connect with nature and learn humility. The Nanwai Community in Beipu Township has recently received funding from the Construction and Planning Agency, Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, and Hsinchu County Government. Their community activity center is about to be completed and will take on the crucial responsibility of caring for the elderly in the community. The ecological pond in the shape of a butterfly in front of the center has also begun to rejuvenate aquatic plants. One of the key drivers behind all these soft and hard facilities is Chen Shao-chung, the owner of the Youtian Grass Farm. Chen Shao-chung grew up in the Nanwai Community, where the mountain at home supported his entire family. Growing citrus, tea, and sweet potatoes all relied on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It wasn't until the colorful butterflies and thunderous frog calls slowly faded from memory and fireflies no longer lit the path at night that Chen Shao-chung realized the land beneath his feet had changed color. To save the farm's ecology, Chen Shao-chung resolutely resigned from his job at the science park and began to learn natural farming methods and ecological education from scratch, aiming to transform Youtian Grass Farm into an ecological base suitable for family visits and student learning. Twelve years have passed, and he has transformed from an engineer with a technical background into an ecological farmer who can eloquently describe the lives of insects and casually identify the characteristics of plants and flowers. His accomplishments are all within Youtian Grass Farm. Youtian Grass is a common wild grass found next to farmland and is a species native to Taiwan. The nectar at the base of its flowers is a favorite wild food for country children. By naming the farm after it, Chen Shao-chung not only fills it with beautiful childhood memories but also represents his hope for the farm—a lively atmosphere filled with the sounds of frogs croaking, butterflies dancing, birds singing, and bees buzzing, creating a delightful "little noisy" ambiance.
