“King of Celery”: Turning Hardship into a Thriving Farming Legacy

More than 80% of the celery across Taiwan comes from Hsieh Chien-fu. Known as the “King of Celery,” Hsieh owns the largest celery farmland in Taiwan. He also exports his products to Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. However, before achieving success, he went through years of hardship and suffering.

Twenty-five years ago, after just completing his military service, Hsieh was told that his family had fallen into a financial crisis. His father left behind only a bankbook with a remaining NT$6,000, while the family carried debts amounting to NT$24 million.

With little choice, Hsieh returned to his hometown to earn a living through farming. He started with a single plot of land, continuously refining cultivation techniques, enforcing strict quality control, and collaborating closely with fellow farmers to sustain and grow their agricultural efforts.

Today, the area has become one of Taiwan’s key production regions for celery. For Hsieh, the celery farmland represents not only his own career, but also a force that attracts young people to return to their hometown and engage in agriculture, sharing success together with the local community.

 以下為中文對照

從破產到芹菜大王 一畝田種出創業奇蹟

綠油油的西洋芹田在陽光下閃耀，這片田的主人，是被稱為「西洋芹大王」的謝建復。他一人供應全台近八成的西洋芹，擁有全台最大產地，產品更外銷日本、韓國與東南亞。然而，這樣的成功並非一蹴可幾，而是從人生谷底一步步走來。

​二十年前退伍返鄉的那個夜晚，謝建復得知家中破產、負債高達兩千四百萬元，父親只留下一本存款僅剩六千元的存摺。面對龐大壓力，他選擇回到家鄉務農，從一畝田開始，親力親為、日夜不休。即便不被看好、人力難尋，他仍堅持創新改良栽培技術，嚴格把關品質，並與農民夥伴共同打拚。

如今，芳苑鄉成為台灣西洋芹的重要產地，也吸引更多年輕人返鄉投入。對謝建復而言，這片芹菜田不只是事業，更是一份與土地、與家鄉共享的榮耀，讓希望在田裡持續生長。

照片