Drawing on imprinting theory and upper echelons theory, this study empirically examines the impact of chairpersons’early-life farming experience on corporate green innovation, using a sample of A-share listed firms in Shanghai and Shenzhen. The results reveal that chairpersons’ farming experience significantly enhances green innovation. Mechanism analysis reveal that farming experience promotes green innovation by elevating environmental attention and enhancing long-term strategic orientation. Heterogeneity tests show stronger effects in firms where chairpersons originated from regions with higher per capita arable land or rice-cultivating traditions, top management teams possess green experience, firms operate in non-polluting industries or are subject to stricter environmental regulation, and firms located in regions with stronger intellectual property protection. Moderation analysis further demonstrates that the degree of regional openness weakens, while market competition intensity strengthens, the positive effect of chairpersons’ farming experience on green innovation. Finally, the analysis of economic consequences confirms that green innovation significantly contributes to firms’ sustainable growth.