Summary: We are pleased to announce a significant milestone for one of our members and the syntropic agroforestry movement in Hualien, Taiwan.
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Tzu Chi University has officially been awarded the Excellent Award in the Ecological Common Good category at the 2026 Global Views USR Awards for the “Front Mountain Shangri-La: Resilience and Common Good of Food Forest × Charitable Agriculture” initiative. This recognition is a powerful validation of the methodologies we implement and teach every day in our Gengfutian Farm in Hualien, Taiwan.
Shifting from Vulnerability to Resilience
In recent years, Hualien has faced extreme environmental challenges, from severe earthquakes to devastating typhoons and floods that wiped out not only conventional agricultural systems. We quickly realized that merely recovering from disasters was no longer enough; we needed to build systems that might be able to absorb them.
By utilizing Syntropic Agroforestry design and methodology, we focus on establishing complex, multi-layered successional systems. Data from our demonstration sites indicate that these biologically dense, managed regularly plots drastically increase plant growth and vigor, and could outperform other farming and conservation methods. Moreover, they offer relief on related areas of focus, like biodiversity, soil health, drainage and water-holding capacity, as well as climate regulation during extreme weather events. Our work is centered on transforming Hualien from a vulnerable zone into a hub for climate resilience.
Bridging Traditional Wisdom and Modern Ecology
Our work extends far beyond soil and seeds; it is deeply rooted in community. The project successfully connects mountain Taroko tribes, coastal Amis settlements, and the agricultural plains. By collaborating directly with tribal elders, we are finding beautiful synergies between indigenous farming wisdom and modern syntropic design, ensuring that natural cycles and cultural heritage are preserved side-by-side.
A Self-Sustaining Economic Web
Ecological resilience must be paired with economic sustainability. To move beyond traditional charity, the initiative incorporates Participatory Guarantee Systems and links our harvests to sustainable consumption cooperatives. With the integration of digital tools like community currency apps, we are helping local farmers build a decentralized, mutually supportive economy that stays within the community.
Taking Syntropy global
The 2026 Global Views USR Award is an encouraging milestone for our collective efforts. While this recognition highlights our work here in Taiwan, it reflects the shared vision of the entire Food Forest Network and the Tzu Chi Foundation’s goal to relieve human suffering and foster a more harmonious society through concrete, compassionate action. We see this as an opportunity to continue exploring the potential of Syntropic Agroforestry, and look for new partnerships that can contribute to our agroecological passion.
Moving forward, we hope to continue creating blueprints with our partners to develop practical manuals to share. By learning hand-in-hand with overseas demonstration bases like Noble Gateway Malaysia, we aim to translate local experiences into helpful models for international projects.
When we plant a food forest, we are designing a more resilient future. Thank you to everyone restoring balance and bringing this movement forward together.
Media report: TCN NEWS: https://www.tcnews.com.tw/education/item/29063.html