” FARMERS GROUP ” is the creation of Wei Zong-Chi, a former physical education teacher who united a group of farmers to spearhead a “non-toxic revolution.” Their collaborative efforts established a solid foundation, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually through innovative agritourism activities. By leveraging its popularity, the farm has successfully bridged the gap between urban and rural areas, transforming into a center for food and agriculture education.
Introduction
Nestled in a valley and covering an area of around 4 hectares, FARMERS GROUP has no fences in sight. Conversely, its orchards, rice fields, and lotus ponds are distinctly divided and equally captivating. Through sustainable farming practices, the farm produces high-quality rice, lotus root powder, honey, and other goods under its proprietary brand “A Group of Farmers.” Over time, this brand has built a strong reputation and secured a loyal customer base.
Wei Zong-Chi transformed his childhood memories into educational experiences, making activities such as bug-catching, fruit-picking, and rice-planting both interactive and entertaining. These experiences have expanded into large-scale events such as the ‘thousand-person’ kiln baking, the “Citrus Olympics,” and firefly-viewing activities. Even snails and pigeons are part of the fun, captivating urban children who eagerly take on the role of being farmers for a day. The farm’s fields become vibrant, open-air classrooms filled with laughter and learning.
Food and agriculture education here go far beyond farm-to-table concepts. It’s practical, immersive, and engaging, inspiring visitors to explore with curiosity. Baihe is no longer just known as the “lotus town”—it’s also home to FARMERS GROUP.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Flora
Take the lotus as an example. Visitors can not only admire, plant, and harvest lotus, but also taste and interact with it. Children enthusiastically peel lotus pods to uncover the seeds, wash lotus roots, and experience the hard work of lotus farming firsthand. They can also try hands-on activities like making DIY lotus seed ice cream or dyeing cloth with lotus pods. These diverse activities blend fun with education, helping participants appreciate the effort behind food production while fostering a deeper connection to the lotus town.
Wei Zong-Chi shares that the farm has organized more than 300 events, some even involving thousands of participants. “When people leave with fond memories, they often become loyal customers, which drives the sales of agricultural products. This, in turn, creates opportunities for young people to return to rural areas.”
“A Group of Farmers” is the present, and the future! Wei Zong-Chi is at the forefront of transforming agriculture through creativity, demonstrating that ecology and production can coexist harmoniously and joyfully. By fostering stronger emotional ties between visitors and the land, the farm offers fun for all ages, achieving a true win-win scenario for farming and tourism.
