You Dian Tsao Ecological Farm Introduction
This is a story about technology talent leaving high salaries to return to the mountains. Here, one can hear a history woven with care for the environment and the warmth of the community. It is a great place for children to connect with nature and learn humility. Recently, the Nanwai community in Beipu Township has received subsidies 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 bear the responsibility of caring for the elderly in the community. The ecological pool in front of the center, shaped like a butterfly, has also begun to cultivate aquatic plants. One of the key driving forces behind the development of all these hardware and software facilities is Chen Shao-chung, the owner of the Youdian Grass Farm. Chen grew up in the Nanwai community, and the mountain behind his home is the lifeline that nourished his family. Relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, he cultivated citrus fruits, tea leaves, and sweet potatoes. It wasn't until the colorful butterflies and thunderous croaks of frogs slowly faded from his memory and fireflies no longer lit the way at night, that Chen realized the land beneath his feet had changed. To save the ecology of the farm, Chen resolutely resigned from his job at the science park and began to learn natural farming methods and ecological education from scratch, striving to transform Youdian Grass Farm into an ecological base suitable for family visits and teacher-student learning. Twelve years later, he has transformed from an engineer with a technical background into an ecological farmer who can passionately speak about the lives of insects and effortlessly identify the characteristics of various plants. His achievements are all showcased at Youdian Grass Farm. Youdian Grass is a common wild herb found beside farmland and is a species endemic to Taiwan. Because the base of its flowers contains nectar, it is a beloved wild food for rural children. Using it as the name of the farm not only fills Chen Shao-chung's childhood memories but also symbolizes his hope for the farm—various sounds of croaking frogs, dancing butterflies, singing birds, and buzzing bees, creating a lively atmosphere filled with a bit of "noise."
