Meet China Episode 35

New Farmers: Eight Innovators and Their 1770-mu Farmland

Bai Jianfeng is a farmer who's passionate about smart agriculture. He leads a team of eight innovators who are transforming traditional farming practices in central China's Hubei Province. By using technologies like remote sensing and intelligent pest control, they are redefining what's possible in the future of agriculture. Their ambitious goal? To create fully unmanned farms within the next five to 10 years. In this story, we meet this innovative group and their 1770-mu farmland.

New Farmers: The PhD Graduate Pioneering Organic Agriculture

Shi Yan, is the founder of Shared Harvest, a farm where crops are grown organically—free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Once a doctoral graduate from Renmin University of China, Shi Yan has become a pioneer in sustainable agriculture. Her commitment to organic farming goes beyond producing healthy food for more tables; it's about protecting the environment and reshaping how we think about agriculture. 

New Farmers: Cafe Owners in the Fields

Lang Huichen and Wu Fei, are two former city dwellers who left behind their urban lives to launch a unique venture in the countryside—the "Hello! Fellow Villager". More than just a coffee shop, the cafe has blossomed into a cultural hub connecting urban and rural life. It is also a job creator and a beacon of hope for rural revitalization. From employing local staff, including a barista with disabilities, to tutoring left-behind children, Lang and Wu are demonstrating how small businesses can brew a brighter future for China's countryside.

New Farmers: Here Comes a Law Professor!

From the classroom to the field, law professor Zhang Xia has dedicated herself to empowering rural communities by spreading legal knowledge and fostering self-governance. For Professor Zhang, this is the key to unlocking the potential of rural development. In this story, we explore Professor Zhang Xia's journey of sowing legal seeds and her unique connection with the coastal village of Damao in Southern China's Hainan Province.