Putiyuan Organic Farm’s owner Mr. Lin Chin-lang was originally in the business of carpentry and renovation. In 2009, he became severely ill and had to leave his job. He moved from his residence in Neihu District to the current farm, turning his long-abandoned ancestral property into a private vegetable farm. Needing to grow pesticide-free vegetables for his own consumption, he started taking classes at the farmers’ association to learn about organic planting. Three years later, in 2012, the farm received an organic certification. Besides regaining his health, he had in fact accidentally discovered environmentally-friendly and human-friendly organic farming. Thereafter, he signed up for a strawberry production and marketing class, and learned the technique of strawberry cultivation. As strawberries have higher economic value than vegetables, and with the recreational farming industry thriving, Mr. Lin began cultivating Neihu’s native Tianlai No.1 strawberry and common strawberry species such as Jinzhuan and Meiji, ensuring a bountiful crop of strawberries from December each year to May in the following year.

Because strawberries that look odd or are smaller in size are not popular with visitors, the lady farmer owner Ms. Han Chun-yen would freeze them and provide them for visitors who want to try DIY strawberry jam making. She also imparts related knowledge to visitors during the DIY experience. On weekends and holidays, many parents bring their children to pick strawberries, and eat organic vegetables and roast chicken. Mr. Lin says it is their greatest happiness to see familiar visitors coming back to the farm again and again.