I first came across ecological agriculture around 2016. Through my involvement in nature education, I naturally connected with people practising it and realised that many were farming for the sake of healthy food and a sustainable environment and lifestyle. At the time, I was growing plants and flowers on a…
A while ago, news about oil tankers mixing different types of edible oils was everywhere, leaving many of us wondering if we had also fallen victim to it. Getting enough to eat has long ceased to be an issue, but eating safely and healthily is another matter entirely. I recalled…
I. Returning to the Countryside: Connecting with Pengcheng Natural Farm I grew up in a Hakka village in eastern Guangdong, and as a child, I often longed for the world beyond. In 2015, I finally made it to the big city of Guangzhou for my studies; I have lived, worked,…
At the beginning of 2024, Foodthink launched the recruitment for the third ‘Ecological Agriculture Internship Programme’. We would like to thank everyone for their interest and enthusiastic applications. This year, we received a total of 62 farm internship applications. Following detailed discussions between Foodthink, 12 farm mentors, and our partner…
At the beginning of 2024, Foodthink launched the recruitment for the third phase of its “Ecological Agriculture Internship Programme”. Our aim is to connect young people aspiring to work in ecological agriculture with established ecological farms. This allows the former to master farming knowledge and techniques, while enabling seasoned farmers…
This spring, before visiting Yan Ping’s “Happiness Fruit Herb Garden” in Guigang, Guangxi, I arrived with a misconception: that the place was remote and untouched, with a pristine ecological environment. In reality, the farm is surrounded by conventional orchards where the use of pesticides, chemical fertilisers, and herbicides is commonplace.…
At the end of 2020, I left the non-profit organisation where I had worked for over seven years. I wanted to explore a way of working that didn’t depend on an institution—one that could bring a relative balance to my mind, body, and spirit—while seeking a lifestyle suited for the…
Before starting my internship at Letian Bay Farm, I had imagined that the customers here were all fervent environmentalists; otherwise, there was no way to explain why these urbanites would travel to the countryside. In an age where everyone is flocking to the cities, taking a path in the opposite…
Letian Bay Farm in Fengxian, Shanghai, is certainly not your conventional eco-farm. When I began my internship here in March, I quickly realised that agriculture here was quite different from what I had imagined: it wasn’t just about farming, but also about leasing land and hosting events. It is truly…
During my three-month internship at Xingfuguo Baicaoyuan, the passage of time became a blur. I seem to remember only that the skies were overcast when I arrived, and bright and clear when I departed. I. Finding Baicaoyuan: A New ‘Peach Blossom Spring’ Xingfuguo Baicaoyuan is a farm located in Guigang,…
