Happy Farming Day!On the 2nd, Shi Yuming, former chairman of the Pu-Yan (Kuo) Zi Community in Changhua County, invited 16 parent-child pairs from families receiving assistance through the Changhua Family Service Center for a free one-day farm visit to share the joy of his own “Chairman’s Farm” harvest. In addition to freely picking the cherry tomatoes known as “Chungo,” they were also treated to a special meal made with vegetables grown on the farm.
Shi Yuming is a retired small and medium enterprise owner who previously served as the third chairman of the local community development association. During his tenure, he led efforts in community revitalization, initiated the renovation of a century-old ancient well, successfully restoring a historic water source, and fostered warmth among villagers. He was also honored as a “Local Grassroots Hero” by the provincial government in 2014. After stepping down as chairman, he has been affectionately referred to as the “Eternal Chairman.”
Even in retirement, Shi Yuming said that having grown up in a farming family, he couldn’t just sit idle. A few years ago, he used his own 0.3-acre plot of land—half for growing cherry tomatoes to sell, and the other half for planting vegetables to share with others—and named this fruit and vegetable garden the “Chairman’s Farm.”
“They’re only tasty when they turn red!” While guiding children as they picked the cherry tomatoes, Shi Yuming explained that the tomatoes on the farm are usually harvested and sold at markets, but are opened to visitors for fruit-picking on weekends—at 200 NT dollars per basket. The other half of the farm grows vegetables such as cabbage, turnips, radishes, and green onions, which are meant for sharing, so they are “given away, not sold.” “Seeing everyone happy makes me happy too.”
Recently, the Changhua Family Service Center set up a new service point in Pu-Yan. Upon learning this, Shi Yuming proactively invited volunteers from the center to accompany local assisted families and their children on a one-day trip to the farm. He also said that whenever he has the ability to give back to society, he tries his best to do so.