Changhe Zhou

Huanong Ecorganic Farm

Project Snapshot:
Huanong Ecorganic Farm is purchasing a Cool-Bot to properly store their produce between harvest and market. The farm grows and sells Hon Tsaitai, a member of cruciferous vegetables and origins from Wuhan, our hometown in China, and has identified the best variety to grow in North Carolina soil and climate. Harvesting the vegetable at the right time and keeping it stored in cool temperatures will ensure they have the best quality product to sell at local markets and are able to expand their business.

Bio: HuaNong Ecorganic Farm is a family-owned research farm which is established in 2016, localized in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina and run by Dr Changhe Zhou, Hong Wu and Dr. Tian Zhou. Both Changhe and Tian are Ph. D in Plant Pathology. Changhe was a professor of Vegetable Pathology at Huazhong Agricultural University and a senior Scientist at Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech. Tian hold a bachelor degree in Biology and a Ph D in Plant Pathology at Virginia Tech. Changhe and Hong quit their jobs at Virginia Tech and started farming in North Carolina. Tian immediately joined our farm after he obtained his Ph D degree for Virginia Tech last year.The reason that we gave up our scientific career and started farming is that we could not find the foods, especially vegetables, to meet our needs in health. We employ a combined traditional agriculture and modern biological sciences and technology to explore a pathway to produce top-grade vegetables. Our goals are to grow safe, healthy, fresh and delicious vegetables by employing ecorganic concepts and practice.Currently we grow more than 50 species of Asian vegetables and sell in Durham Farmers Market, Carrboro Farmers Market and Weave Street Market.