Why I Do What I Do
This AsiaOne series dives into the lives of people who chase careers that most of us only dream about. And on this episode, we’re stepping into the green world of Evelyn Eng‑Lim, the 78‑year‑old organic farmer who refuses to trade her boots for a sofa.
Morning Rituals on the Field
Evelyn opens her day at 7 am, slipping into her worn‑out sunhat, ready to check on her crew and the crops that have been under her care for 20+ years. That first task? Supervising the workers—ensuring the vines get the right amount of sunshine and the soil stays just right.
The Tree That Almost Taught Her a Lesson
- “There once was this tree that grew taller than a lady’s finger—yes, we planted it right under the ladies’ feet!” she laughs, the wrinkles in her smile lining up with her years of farm life.
- “When I headed over, the tree was about to barrel down, and the crew was right in its path.”
- “I shouted, ‘Hey, everybody! Run!’ If I hadn’t been there, they’d probably have gotten crushed. Better to keep a watchful eye—especially when your hearing is a bit on the shy side.”
Even with a hearing aid that can’t quite keep up with the wind in the leaves, Evelyn’s ears are tuned to the farm’s heartbeat.
No Talk About Retirement
When the buzz about “retirement” pops up, Evelyn rolls her eyes and says:
“I work as much as my body can handle. I don’t buy into the idea that you just stop everything after a certain age. The more I work, the more I learn, and that’s why I’m still here—just like that incident with the tree that taught me the importance of knowing how to cut a problem before it falls on you.”
Bottom Line: Keep Moving, Keep Learning
In more ways than one, Evelyn proves that the earth isn’t just a playground for kids and young professionals. It’s a lifelong test‑bed for those who are willing to keep learning, keep improving, and of course, keep refusing to let age dictate the rhythm of their work.
Opening a farm to be immersed in nature
How Evelyn Turned a Tiny Sprinkle of Pesticide into a Big Farm Dream
Meet Evelyn, a true throwback from the 1950s, whose childhood was steeped in the mystique of Mother Nature. She swears that her golden years were shaped by the soothing scents of herbal drinks and the stories of her father’s roots in China.
Garden‑like Memories
- Her childhood tea ritual: “When I was a wee baby feverish, my mom would brew a herbal concoction—soothing, warm, with a hint of wild mint.”
- Father’s tales of the countryside: “Back in China, villages were bustling gardens where people foraged herbs that could cure practically anything.”
These stories planted a deep-rooted confidence in the stuff that grows on the land, shaping her lifelong passion for everything natural.
Vegan Vibes & “What You Eat Is Who You Are”
Evelyn’s diet is 100% plant‑powered. She firmly believes that being vegetarian means our health is literally a reflection of our food. That explains why she was freaked out the moment she read in the paper about a shipment of vegetables being rejected by authorities—pesticides, by the way.
1997: A Pesticide Panic
It was September 1997. With no organic markets, the only way to keep her body toxin‑free was a night‑time treasure hunt for pesticide‑free produce. “No one could control what ate me,” she said, eyes wide with indignation.
From Backyard Hobbyist to Farm‑Dreamer
At that point, Evelyn had been tending a few plants in her garden and volunteer‑chi‑ping in a local Nature Society. Then a spark lit: “I wanted to be the boss of my own food.”
- “The more I think about opening a farm, the more pulse‑rush I get.”
- “Owning a farm means I can roll into a simple life: grow everything at home, plant fruit trees, and live in total harmony with nature.”
That crossed from merely a spark to a full‑blown revolution—she decided to trade the city buzz for a handful of acres and a splash of sunrise.
Bottom Line
Evelyn’s journey reminds us that a dip into skepticism (about pesticides) can blossom into a boldstep toward sustainability, autonomy, and that delicious, homegrown salad at dinner.
Learning not to fear nature
Green Circle Eco‑Farm: The 4‑Field Food Forest That Beat the Pandemic
Picture a patch of earth the size of roughly four football fields—that’s 2.2 hectares—stretching along Neo Tiew Road. Inside this space, the Green Circle Eco‑Farm is churning out over 120 varieties of perennial veggies, bright blooms, and aromatic herbs.
From Scraps to Soil
- When Evelyn and her hubby kicked off the farm in 1999, they had to rid the land of 55 t of building debris.
- They turned that muck into compost, replenishing the soil with organic goodness.
- Flipping the field into today’s food‑forest required a steep learning curve—Evelyn didn’t have a farm in her blood.
She says it was all a “real‑world laboratory” for her. “I kept wondering, why sweat so much?” she reflects. The answer? Cook‑smart farming—finding what plants thrive together (that’s companion planting) to cut work hours and boost yields.
Perennials: The Time‑Saver
Taking the long‑term route, she opts for veggies that live for >2 years. “Fewer harvest trips, fewer chores,” she says. The only hitch? Convincing shoppers to swap imported produce for locally grown gems.
COVID‑19: The Unplanned Boom
When supply shelves went bare, people suddenly started ordering her veggie baskets online. “We went from empty shelves to a three‑fold surge in customers,” Evelyn smiles, half‑amused, half‑proud.
Beyond the Field
- She hosts nasi ulam (mixed herb rice) cooking demos for folks keen on incorporating perennials into their meals.
- She also runs educational tours for students—particularly preschoolers. She keeps it light: “Songs like ‘Insects All Around’ ensure little ones aren’t scared of bees and butterflies. Add a tune on the five senses, and voilà—nature is just a friend, not a foe.”
NSF Farming: A Dream…
Evelyn even pitched the idea of bringing full‑time National Servicemen into the fold, hoping the lease could stretch. The proposal? It got a polite “no.” Yet she’s convinced some young soldiers might actually enjoy digging in the soil.
In short, Green Circle Eco‑Farm is more than a patch of land; it’s a lesson in patience, creativity, and a little bit of jazz around the punchy, “plant together, thrive together” mantra.
An uncertain future
Green Circle Eco Farm – Can a Tiller Save His Patch of Paradise?
Imagine having your very own garden sanctuary turned into a military training ground. That’s the reality for Green Circle Eco Farm’s owner, Evelyn, who’s fighting a head‑long battle to keep her fields alive.
What’s at Stake?
She’s got a deadline of July 31 to pack up and move – the land will become a battleground for troops, not tomatoes.
Why Evelyn Won’t Back Down
Evelyn says her fight isn’t about protecting a paycheck; it’s about the “scientific and economic sustainability value” of her farm. “This place could be a research hub,” she tells us, citing the National University of Singapore professor who’s already penned a plea for an extension.
- Offline protests? No.
- Online petition to Google? Yes.
- Emails to authorities? Still in progress.
Her previous lease extension request? Rejected. Her next appeal? Still pending. And the farm remains operational, thanks to her early‑morning routine.
Morning Rituals
Every day at 6.30 am, Evelyn wakes up to whip up breakfast from yesterday’s harvest – a part of the rhythm that keeps her soldiers calm and her soil watered.
What 22 Years of Farming Has Taught Her
Her biggest lesson? Intuition.
“One day, I wondered if hibiscus flowers were just for show or if they could actually be edible. I took a bite, didn’t collapse, and felt reassuringly safe,” she laughs. Her gut instincts? Now her nutrient instincts.
Key Takeaway
Evelyn isn’t just a farmer; she’s a gardener, a scientist, a verbal champion, and a lightweight acrobat – all rolled into one. If the land is reallocated for military use, the science that polls regarding sustainable farming might have to change to match the new mission. Her hope is that the Ministry of Agriculture and related bodies will see that; maybe they will accept that a pasture can be tactical – albeit, not by sowing bullets.
While the farm is still open, Evelyn stands at her threshold, hoping for the day when the farm is not abandoned but continues to thrive in the taint of an Il toke parted by the Government’s own decisions. Until then, she swears: the best revenge on a farmer’s fate is the growth of the garden where the flower’s aroma is more potent than war.
