Dec 2023

Cham Shan farm is another returning Restore Fund grantee, and they continue to build on the success of the regenerative practices they have already implemented, including rare and precious yields like succulent finger limes. Farmer Pat Fan took over the land from his family, and did initially experience some teething problems with the transition to regenerative practices as these were methods his mother was not familiar with. However,  the results speak for themselves and he has won her over with larger, healthier crops.

Leveraging the foundations laid in the first year, Pat Fan aims to implement more regenerative practices (including compost tea making) and dedicate a larger area to restorative farming.

  • Unlike other farms using wood chips and mushroom substrates for mulching, Cham Shan is experimenting by adding goat manure this month. We can’t wait to see the outcome!

  • EM fertilizer, compost, horn meal, wood chips and mushroom substrate have been added to tomato fields since November with the intention of providing enough nutrients and fungal development for both the soil and the crops.

  • And this month, we can already see an improvement! By comparing the tomato plants between November (left) and December (right), we can see a far more vivid, healthy green leaf with a more symmetrical shape, indicating the plant is now receiving more zinc.

  • Farmer Pat Fan is getting serious about making compost tea, dedicating the largest area out of all our Restore Projects.

  • His napa cabbages are still facing some pest issues. Knowing Brassicaceae are prone to attract bugs especially in subtropical areas, farmer Pat Fan is looking to apply nutrient amendments in the future to fix this issue.