陳榮三 “阿三哥”(Rong-San Chen “A san Ge”) isn’t just growing produce — he’s growing practitioners.
His work laid the foundation for many others — from farms to classrooms, from fields to hearts across Taiwan, China, and Canada over the past 25 years. He has worked closely with 里仁 (Leezen), Taiwan’s leading organic brand and retail chain and 慈心有機農業發展基金會 (Tzu-Xin Organic Agriculture Development Foundation). Together, they have advanced not only chemical-free farming, but also a way of thinking that centers nature, humility, and hands-on learning.
When I asked how it started, he said “He was working at a university public service job when he first heard 日常法師 (Master Ri-Chang). The first lesson of Avoiding 3 Errors《The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment p.17》shocked him, brought him into learning Buddhism, and followed the master since:
- Covered Vessel: If cup is covered, you can’t accept what others give you — If your heart is closed, you can’t listen to new methods.
- Dirty Vessel: If the cup is dirty, when people pour anything in, can you drink it? — If your prejudice is deep, how can you learn?
- Leaky Vessel: If the cup is broken, you can’t keep anything, how can you drink? — If your mind is not stable, what you learn will flow away.
First be open, listen, then decide if to accept
On October 25, 1995 at Chaiyi Puzi Farm, Master Ri-Chang planted the first organic seeds, marking the beginning of a new era in Taiwanese organic farming. He said ‘Today is Taiwan’s Restoration Day. We hope to gather our strength, restore the earth together, and create a healthy and happy society!’.
In 1999, 阿三哥 quit his job at the university and joined the Tzu-Xin foundation. In 2000, he helped built 福智麻園農場 (FuZhi Organic Farm inside Bliss and Wisdom Education Park). Since then, he supported farmers to transition and improve practice bringing healthy and sustainably grown produces into Leezen.
Impact So Far
The trio (Leezen, Tzu-Xin, FuZhi) unit and inspire hundreds of thousands people to make organic not just possible — but practical, scalable, and sustainable.
In 30 years, Leezen has grown to be the largest organic chain in Taiwan with 133 stores and over US$100 million in annual revenue.
In 2024, Tzu-Xin
- Supported 626 Green farms (915+ hectares)
- Trained over 8,200 volunteers
- Hosted 772 ecological & environmental events (44,000+ participants)
Over the years:
- Planted 1.5M trees since 2010
- Worked with 519 schools, 240,000+ students and teachers; reduced 14M+ single-use plastic product since 2018
- All suppliers certified Clean Label (ingredient, formula, site, and full production review)
Read more at Leezen’s 7 sustainability focuses and Tzu-Xin’s stories and magazines.
What Makes Them Special
Practice Over Preaching
阿三哥 doesn’t lecture. He tills, plants, weeds, and composts — inviting others to work alongside him and learn by doing — practicing goodness for all lives and environment.
Value to Market Link
The trio (Leezen, Tzu-Xin, Fuzhi) created ecosystem and standards to ensure quality and build consumer trust. Blends for-profit retail + non-profit advocacy to educate and shift behaviors.
Compassion Drives Commitment
Intrinsic value and deep rooted commitment to solve challenges and drive innovation. The mission has drawn people across supply and value chains, religions, and cultures.
Why It Matters / What’s Next
Taiwan’s organic shift wasn’t overnight. It’s been a 30-year marathon — and obstacle course. Behind every movement are people like 阿三哥 — who plant seeds others will harvest.
His work reminds us:
- Organic isn’t just a label — it’s a discipline and culture.
- Quiet leadership can have loud results — especially when rooted in integrity.
- Transformation doesn’t need a spotlight — it needs stamina and soil.
The broader question: How do we capture and pass this generation’s knowledge/ culture to the next?
How You Can Support
- Visit and learn — 阿三哥’s 勝業有機農場 (Shengye Organic Farm) — and many other organic farms — welcome aspiring farmers and learners.
- Support Organic and Clean Label products — Shop at Leezen or other organic stores or trusted group shopping/ 團媽.
- Share and Amplify — Share this story and record elders’ stories before they’re lost. Volunteer with or donate to environmental nonprofits like Tzu-Xin.
Let’s rethink leadership — in addition to those who rise above, but also who lift others up from the soil.
阿三哥 isn’t planting just crops. He’s planting a different kind of future — one grounded in care, wisdom, and a willingness to get your hands dirty for the greater good.
References / Appendix
- Master Tsongkhapa《The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment》—Covered Vessel / Dirty Vessel / Leaky Vessel (p.17) teaching inspired 阿三哥
- Tzu-Xin Organic Agriculture Development Foundation 2024 annual report — key metrics and achievements
- Clean Label（Tse-Yue Int’l) — Food safety and environmental standards from raw materials to production processes
- Shengye Organic Farm / A Sange Organic Farm / Come on (horse) / Green fill the world — about 阿三哥