Many young people in Taiwan migrate to big cities in search of job opportunities. This has created a labor shortage in the country’s more rural areas. One farm couple in Yunlin County overcame this obstacle by transforming their farm into a shelter where people with disabilities learn about organic farming.
There’s a farm in Yunlin County where disabled people can go to learn about organic farming. A couple established the program four years ago, when they were having a hard time finding help. Here, their farm provides training to people with disabilities who need work. The farm teaches them everything from planting and harvesting crops to packaging the goods.
Chen Wei-chen said that he coordinated with a local nonprofit and the county government to become a farm shelter, where he could offer jobs to disabled people.
Mr. and Mrs. Chen teach these young people marketable skills while giving them a wage. In her free time, Mrs. Chen also gives dance classes to disabled people. She said she’s happy knowing she’s making a difference in people’s lives. It makes her life more meaningful.
Farmhand Meiling says she’s a good salesperson — she’s the queen of sales. Another farmhand says she talks to customers and spends most of her time packaging.
This organic farm shelter in Yunlin is giving people with disabilities new skills that will help improve their lives.