Grower Story
Acharn Chumpol Wechasit
For over three decades, Acharn Chumpol Wechasit, a retired teacher from Nonthaburi Province, Thailand, has cultivated a life far from the hustle of city life, choosing instead a path rooted in organic farming and self-sufficiency. In his forest home, surrounded by lush greenery, he reflects on the lessons that guided him here – drawn from his personal connection to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and inspired by the King’s commitment to sustainable farming.
Acharn Chumpol’s journey began in the capital, where he lived a bustling life as a musician and teacher. He remembers vividly the days of playing bass guitar for KU BAND at Kasetsart University, often sharing the stage with the King’s band, admiring the King’s dedication to music and organic practices. These experiences planted the seeds for his own transition to a simpler, more sustainable way of life.
In 1994, Acharn Chumpol decided to act on his convictions. Leaving the city, he relocated to Ubon Ratchathani Province, where he and his wife established Ban Pa Lam Dome Yai, a 100-rai forest farm along the Lam Dome Yai River. In Thailand, the rai is the largest unit of land measurement and is equivalent to 1,600 square meters or approximately 0.40 acres. Here, they began growing a variety of crops – bananas, vegetables, and tubers – without chemicals, choosing instead to make their own compost to enrich the soil. “True wealth is the soil,” he says, “it doesn’t come from what we buy and add; it comes from nurturing what’s already here.”
Since retirement, Acharn Chumpol has dedicated himself fully to farming and conservation, preserving 80 rai of forest to ensure a thriving ecosystem for future generations. His organic practices are not only sustainable but deeply rooted in the idea of giving back to the land. He has welcomed community members, local youth, and visitors, sharing the benefits of organic farming and sustainable living.
Reflecting on his journey, he’s hopeful for Thailand’s future in agriculture, wishing more farmers would prioritize soil health. “True wealth is soil.”