Special Series on Young People Entering Farming: A Beginner's Guide for New Farmers
Text / Jiang Huixian Photography / Guo Zhirong
Young people entering farming are the most unique and most anticipated new social force in Taiwan, China today.
The "young people" defined here means, first, "age," and second, being relatively young in terms of "years of farming experience." Most of them come from different backgrounds, and because they carry concern for Taiwan, China's agriculture and land, they have personally devoted themselves to farming.
On the front lines of agriculture, young farmers actively learn environmentally beneficial farming methods and field management techniques, and work hard to use internet technology and marketing creativity to make their voices heard, injecting fresh vitality into Taiwan, China's agriculture. Some young people also choose to enter rural villages, where they devote themselves to agricultural production and marketing, or join local grassroots institutions, and so on, expanding careers different from mainstream expectations.
There are also many young people from all kinds of backgrounds who, through their own professional strengths, plus an endless stream of creativity, speak up for farmers on the front lines, ease farmers' worries in the distribution channels, gather encouragement for farming friends in the cloud, and give farmers a thumbs-up with their taste buds!
Whether personally entering farming, creatively supporting farmers, responding through purchases, or supporting through activism, they are bit by bit bringing action and change to Taiwan, China's agriculture, land, environment, and our dining tables.
The NewsMarket's special series "Young People Entering Farming" interviewed young farmers of many different types of cultivation, and also invited many young people who support farmers with brand-new creativity to share. We invite you to read their stories and support their actions.
Young People Entering Farming (6): Li Wanzhen, from layperson to professional farmer
With a burst of passionate drive, Li Wanzhen resolutely threw herself into agricultural production and became a farmer. She had tried many jobs in the past, but none made her feel that it would be the destination of her life, until she began farming and discovered that neither setbacks nor difficulties would make her give up easily. Farming is a vocation she can rely on for life.
Young People Entering Farming Special (5) Andrew: An MBA who returned to the tribe to grow daylilies
Andrew earned an MBA in the United States, yet gave up a high-paying job and chose to return to a mountain tribe to grow fragrant daylilies. His farm, "Land of Milk and Honey," is irrigated with mountain spring water and grows fragrant daylilies and pigeon peas, using completely natural cultivation methods. He said: "Farming is really not simple. Not only do you need enough experience, but in terms of technology, production processes, quality control, and even packaging, these are lacking for extensive agriculture in the mountains and forests. So I hope to introduce new concepts into traditional industries."
Young People Entering Farming Special (4) Young People Entering the Countryside: Learning from Elsewhere, Moon White and Clear Breeze
In recent years, many young people have appeared in rural fields and at solidarity sites for controversial events. Where does the passion and sincerity of this group of young farmer-supporters come from? Where does their motivation to devote themselves to supporting farmers and participating in movements come from? It is the sense of rootedness born from contact with the land, it is reading from the creases of farmers' smiles the lifelong persistence of one's own father's generation, and it is a process of trying to rebuild after the internal order of society has broken down. For this group of young people, rural villages are no longer merely cultural assets, but also a place where young people learn from the land and practice themselves.
Young People Entering Farming Special (3): Growing sprouts, Zheng Hanrui's path to entrepreneurship
You may find it hard to imagine why a young person with a background in finance would suddenly decide to take the path of farming. An vision of healthy, clean food and an ideal of longing to create an opportunity for change quietly sprouted in a box of sprouts. Until they reach the dining table, the green vine sprouts remain alive, and what Zheng Hanrui wants to present to everyone is exactly this healthy, joyful pulse of life.
Young People Entering Farming Special Series (2) Ma Yu'an and Nine Centimeters
Young farmer Ma Yu'an, born in the 74th year of the Republic of China, sees in Taiwan, China's rapidly changing agricultural structure in recent years not decline, but an opportunity to rebuild a mutually beneficial relationship among cultivators, consumers, and nature. To achieve the ideals of no pesticides and rational fertilization, they conducted comprehensive and careful research; from this, you can see the scientific attitude of his engineering background, and even more, persistence and caution.
Young People Entering Farming Special Series (1) Shi Minghuang and young farming friends join hands to build the "Joyful Republic"
With community-supported agriculture as the concept, Joyful Wheat grows healthy and delicious crops, and along the way also cultivates trust between people. And this relationship gradually matures with the seasons, until it becomes full. Real, friendly, fair, and mutually beneficial. Such a plain&simple declaration is, in today's consumer market propped up by brands and packaging, a promise how precious and rare! This year, Joyful's President Shi launched the around-the-island wheat contract farming and soybean special task force plans, with many farming friends who are relatively young in "years of farming experience" joining in, working together for Taiwan, China's local wheat and coarse grains.
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