Experience At Toucheng Farm

While working at Tourcheng Farm, I had many opportunities to learn and experience valuable things in the sustainable tourism industry.

I was involved in preparing and reception for a group of VIP guests from 15 countries, including Vietnam. This makes me proud to have the opportunity to meet and interact with my fellow countrymen in such a wonderful environment.

I participate in meticulous food preparation table setting and experience how to prepare signature dishes for guests. This was a fun learning experience about tourism event management and organization.

In the afternoon, we attended a presentation about the idea and goal of building a farm. Toucheng Farm's vision is towards sustainable development, environmental protection, and contributing to local development. Hunter - Program planner and Manager of community development, have the same opinion as me that sustainable tourism is not only a definition but also a way of implementing tourism in protecting the environment and creating social values. It contributes to job creation for local communities, sustainable economic development, and preservation of local culture. Sustainable tourism has a low impact on the natural environment and marine protected areas. This includes minimizing adverse impacts on flora and fauna, using resources wisely, and reducing environmental pollution.

The experience at Tourcheng Farm has deepened my understanding of the importance of sustainable tourism and its positive impact on the environment, local communities, and the tourism industry.

Toucheng Farm Experience: Discovering Natural Beauty and Feeling Peace

Hi! I’m Rachel from Vietnam, and will be at Toucheng for three weeks. I am studying at NKUST in Kaohsiung.

Although the road from Kaohsiung to Toucheng Farm is quite long, I am very impressed by the route designed to avoid going through the forest for convenience only. They are very protective of the forest. This creates a unique and different experience from previous journeys. During the journey by local train, I saw the beautiful scenery on both sides of the road, especially when the train runs along the coast. 

Toucheng Farm is special in Taiwan, with a perfect combination of rivers, streams, mountains, and forests. Especially if you want to relax at the sea, the sea is also just a short distance from Toucheng Farm. All this creates a peaceful and warm space.

During my first week at Tourcheng Farm, I was introduced to a creative and rewarding working environment at Green Bar. Below is a summary of the experiences and activities I have been involved in. I learned how to plant trees and participated in organizing workshops. Green Bar is a lovely space decorated with many ornamental plants, creating a friendly and intimate environment. The feeling of green and life from the trees makes me feel relaxed and in close contact with nature.

Green Bar is also the venue for workshops, where we take advantage of unused glass bottles or jars and turn them into beautiful works of art such as pots or decorations. This process not only helps us to create innovative items but also helps promote awareness of recycling and protecting the environment.

Made by me

The first week of working at Toucheng Farm has brought me many positive impressions about this place's working environment and natural landscape. The unique location of the farm between wild nature and the sea has created a peaceful and relaxing space, especially after a stressful working day.

I look forward to more experiences and learning next time at Toucheng Farm. The combination of the beautiful natural environment and creative working spirit here will contribute to the enhancement of my knowledge and experience.

Jessica from sunny Singapore

Hi! I’m Jessica from Singapore and I was at Toucheng for about 3 weeks - from end March to mid April.

I highly recommend this period because it is not yet summer and the weather is perfectly cooling to work in the fields.

The environment

The farm is massive, with plenty of things to see and do. My friend Renae and I named the newborn buffalo 小新, short for 新加坡.

The air is clean and fresh. You can see fireflies during spring/summer, so you know that’s how unpolluted the environment is. You can go hiking during your off days - I did that, and met friendly Taiwanese hikers who took care of me during the journey. It’s near the sea and surfer’s beach. I only regret not picking up surfing then!

Food at the farm is fresh and delicious. Because they cater to visitors, there is always a spread throughout the day. The only fear is running out of stomach space. You’ll get to taste authentic local Yilan cuisine. I think I ate more than I worked during my stay.

Working at the farm

We were growing and harvesting celery and lettuce. Main chores would be pulling weeds, but I had fun identifying the type of weeds that were beneficial to plants and were edible. Yes, not all weeds are bad! Some weeds are helpful to prevent growth of other, more invasive weeds, and some improve the soil too. Some help to attract/repel pests from the vegetables - this is important since we don’t use pesticides. An aspect of permaculture is to let nature do its work instead of forcing it to do what we want, which I guess goes back to traditional farming. 

I learned to pay attention to the greenery and every single plant / weed I came into contact with. My only regret was that I wasn’t able to learn more about the little creatures: the worms, the bugs, the helpful predator insects that eats up bugs.

Working at the green bar 

Here, I was able to have more interaction with guests - helping with service and DIY. I learned to do some macramé thanks to Pia’s patient guidance! It’s something I never would have signed up for because I never saw myself as a handicraft kind of person - I would get impatient and anxious. But turns out working with your hands is almost like meditation, when your mind and body are both quietly focused on one singular task. 10/10 would recommend to anyone who is easily distracted and impatient!

Let me just talk about the wonderful people that I’ve met on the farm. Of course, Tina is the most wonderful supervisor you’ll ever meet. She is soooooooo caring and thoughtful - in a word, motherly - that I never felt homesick. When Renae got heatstroke, Tina rushed to get her a local remedy of Sarsi & salt. Even despite being really busy, nothing is too small for her attention (like helping me get the best route to the airport). I truly admire her kindness, generosity of spirit and dedication. (But also to Tina: please take care of yourself and don’t burn out!!)

 

Zhuo mama and her sons - GM and vice GM, are equally generous in their own ways. Renae and I got to learn directly in the fields from Zhuo mama, and considering her age, she is impressively strong and willing to teach, which we are grateful for. We were also fortunate to enjoy a special treat at the Green Kitchen AND a fantastic lunch at the Winery. Both meals were sublime and completely blew us out of the water. It is indeed a testament to the quality of the produce and chef at work. I have a lot of foodie thoughts and comments, but at the risk of overdoing it at this blog, I shall just share a few choice photos.

I also appreciated learning from Pia and her creativity. Nothing goes to waste at the Green Bar because everything can be repurposed into decoration celebrating the environment! We are simply limited by our imagination (and skills).

To others including Jun Xiong, Jun Wei, Ursula and all the tour guides, I learned so much from each of them. Never be afraid to ask questions and pick their brains. They have so much to share. Professor Jun Xiong is also a wonderful photographer and journalist who helped Renae and I become mini celebrities on the news. (See here: https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20230326002868-260405

Sook Ling & David were truly kind and generous in making sure I had a good time on the farm and treated me as their friend.

I have never felt more cared for and welcomed in any other place.

With my heart (and stomach) full and feeling at peace, I wholeheartedly recommend Toucheng Leisure Farm as a place for anyone looking to experience life on a farm.