“Sharing begins when you find moderation in life.” The quote on a modest poster showcasing a sustainable organic farm in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, grabbed quiet attention. Rai Ruen Rom was one of a range of young Thais’ passion projects promoting sustainability, exhibited in October at the Sustainable Brands 2016 Bangkok conference.

Then I meet Apple Kitaphanich, 32, and her sister Cherry, 29, who run the farm. How can you be so young, mindful and so moved by conscience?

After graduating in Media and Communications, Apple was searching for meaning in her life. Two-and-a-half years later, she realises that true meaning lies in empowering villagers to be strong and sustainable in their practices. “That’s the only way to find true happiness. Once they know themselves, that’ll be enough and then they’ll be ready to give to others. Then we’ll have a peaceful society.”

On a piece of land their father had purchased 20 years previously, after a year in an Agriculture programme, Apple set up an organic farm. She moved into a little hut with no electricity, learning to grow rice, rear fish and plant vegetables. “I didn’t even know what basil and lemongrass looked like,” exclaims Apple, aghast at her initial ignorance. “Or what to do with them.”

Now, their organic cafe serves fresh produce from the farm and they rent out fully-furnished eco-chic teepees for homestay experience. They are in the midst of building a learning centre to enable guests to couple their education on sustainability farming with practical applications in workshops.

Future goals include connecting farmers to consumers so that they can learn about each other’s values and appreciate the stories behind the food that one grows and the other eats. Apple’s goal is to create a supermarket in every village, selling fresh produce to lower food prices and increase produce freshness. In time, she hopes her idea will spread to other Thai villages.

Passionate. Provocative. Purposeful. Makes me want to be young again!

www.rairuenrom.com

Photos: Rai Ruen Rom