You-Dian Grass Ecological Farm Introduction
This is a story about a tech talent who gave up a high salary to return to the mountains. Here, one can hear tales of struggles intertwined with care for the environment and the warmth of the community. It is a great place for children to learn about nature and develop humility. Recently, the Nan-Wai community in Beipu Township received funding from the Construction and Planning Agency, the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, and the Hsinchu County Government. Their community activity center is about to be completed and will take on the heavy responsibility of caring for the elderly in the community. The ecological pond in the shape of a butterfly at the center has also begun to restore aquatic plants. One of the key drivers behind all of these hardware and software facilities is Chen Shao-Chung, the owner of the Youdian Grass Farm. Chen grew up in the Nan-Wai community, and the mountain near his home was the lifeline for his family. Whether planting citrus fruits, tea leaves, or sweet potatoes, he relied on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Until the fluttering butterflies and the chorus of frogs gradually disappeared from his memory, and fireflies no longer lit the way at night, Chen realized that the land beneath his feet had changed. In order to save the ecology of the farm, he resolutely resigned from his job in the science park and started learning natural farming methods and ecological education from scratch, aiming to transform Youdian Grass Farm into an ecological base suitable for family outings and cooperative learning between teachers and students. Twelve years have passed, and he has evolved from an engineer with a background in science and technology into an ecological farmer who speaks passionately about insects and effortlessly shares the characteristics of various plants and flowers. His achievements are all evident in Youdian Grass Farm. Youdian Grass is a common weed found next to farmlands and is a species endemic to Taiwan. Its flowers have nectar at the base, making it a favorite wild food among rural children. Using this name for the farm not only fills Chen's childhood memory with beautiful moments but also represents his hopes for the farm— that the sounds of frogs croaking, butterflies dancing, birds chirping, and bees buzzing can create a lively, albeit "a little noisy," atmosphere.
