About Us

About six years ago, Acacia Yuan (then a 6th grader) and her chess teacher, Mr. Bruce Bohm, visited a local farm called Phoenix Tear Nursery in Cache Valley. This visit followed a kind gesture where we shared some dried goji berries with his wife, who was recovering from surgery. The farm, a small family-run operation on two acres, is home to many goji plants.

The farm's story began in 2004 when Dr. Donald Doug, a professor at Utah State University, and his son, Mr. Nathen Doug, discovered a patch of vibrant green plants with bright red berries while deer hunting near the Great Salt Lake. Later DNA testing revealed these plants had Chinese roots, potentially linked to the Chinese railroad workers who helped build the western section of the first U.S. Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860s.

Inspired by this history, we dove into research on the unique “Utah Goji.” Through field sampling, lab cultivation (genetic rescue), AI-driven data analysis (using AWS SageMaker), and DNA comparison, we found that these berries—having thrived in Utah's tough climate—boasted antioxidant levels even higher than those from Ningxia, China. This resilience makes them a promising superfood with potential benefits for immunity, recovery, and overall wellness, with possible applications in astronaut nutrition and post-chemotherapy care.

To continue this research, we established the Utah Goji Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to open-source research and community education. We've also applied for a USDA Specialty Crop Grant and partnered with Utah State University’s Nutrition Department, local farmers, and generous donors.

Given its exceptional radiation and oxidation resistance, we're confident this superfood could be a game-changer for astronauts. Additionally, its fruit, leaves, and roots are all edible. We see it as both our mission and responsibility to share this remarkable gift with the world!

• Acacia's Goji article collected by the National Association of Chinese Americans for Social Justice)
• Won the 2025 Utah State "Outstanding History Achievement" Award
• Historical Records of Chinese Americans | Goji Berry at Phoenix Tear Nursery https://usdandelion.com/archives/9162
• Acacia's Goji Story won 2nd place at the global Chinese Overseas Writing Competition 2025
• Made Documentary films on railroad workers 

          -  2018 “Golden Spike - Chinese Railroad Workers.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSGl_JDCmlw&feature=youtu.be(State Award of Utah History,

Wildcat Film Festival, Rails & Trails Prize, Invited to the National Conference of

Oregon-California Trails Association)

          -  2019 “Utah Pioneers on Transcontinental Railroad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtXFAPDufYE&feature=youtu.be (Special Award of Oregon-California Trails Association, Winner of First-Time Filmmaker Sessions [England, UK], ALMERIA Western Film Festival [Spain], The Block Festival, $500 Cash Awards of Utah History).

• Invited to the 155th Anniversary at the Gold Spike National Park and gave the public speech in front to 40k audiences

https://youtu.be/w4TkUku7B88

• Created the Utah Goji Foundation www.utahgojifoundation.com
• Utah Goji Trademarked 
• Worked in fields
• Worked in greenhouse
• Tests by Professional Labs 

- Nutrition

- Soil

- DNA

     - AI and Machine Learning of Amazon Web Service

• Won Science Awards: 

- 2nd place at the Ritchey Science Fair 2025

- 1st at the Cache Valley County Fair 2025

- Winner of the Utah State STEM Innovation Competition 2025

- National Qualifier and Competitor at the Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals at the Henry Ford Museum 2025

- 2nd at the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge 2025

• Dried Goji Berries
  The most common form, often eaten as a snack, added to cereals, or used in smoothies.
   
• Goji Berry Powder
  Made by drying and grinding goji berries, this powder can be added to smoothies, protein shakes, or baked goods.
   
• Goji Juice
  A liquid form of goji, often marketed for its antioxidant and wellness benefits. Can be consumed on its own or mixed into other beverages.
   
• Goji Capsules or Supplements
  Concentrated goji extract in pill form, taken as a dietary supplement for its supposed health benefits.
   
• Goji Tea
  Dried goji berries or goji leaves are used to brew a health-boosting tea, often combined with other herbs.
   
• Goji Energy Bars
  Often found in health food stores, these bars include dried goji berries as a main ingredient for a natural energy boost.
   
• Goji Face Cream, Goji Soap or Skin Care Products
  Due to their high antioxidant content, goji berries are included in some skin care products to promote skin health and combat aging.
   
• Goji Fruit Concentrate
  A concentrated liquid form of goji berries, often used in smoothies, juices, or as an additive to other products.
   
• Goji Wine or Liqueur
  Goji berries are sometimes fermented to produce wine or liqueurs, known for their distinct flavor and purported health benefits.
   
• Goji Jam or Marmalade
  A fruit preserve made from goji berries, often combined with other fruits for a unique flavor.
   
• Goji Herbal Blends
  Goji berries are sometimes included in herbal mixtures, often blended with other antioxidant-rich fruits or herbs for wellness benefits.
   
• Goji-Based Snacks
  Such as goji granola, goji chips, or goji-infused nuts and dried fruits.