Kiss Fruit Farm Introduction
Although winter is coming to an end and spring is about to arrive, a visit to "Kiss Fruit Farm" still has me pulling my collar tight to fend off the occasional cold wind that pierces the skin. However, even in the chilly temperatures that can be a bit hard to bear, at the "Kiss Fruit Farm," I can see young farmers Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei diligently working in the vegetable garden without a complaint. "Kiss Fruit Farm" is located in Zhubei City, right beside a busy highway. Lin Junwei is spraying Suru fungus in the vegetable garden. Suru fungus is harmless to vegetables but can produce toxic proteins harmful to insects. Committed to organic farming without the use of pesticides, they rely on various biological control methods to combat the "insect crisis." Making Friends with Insects to Reduce Damage "Sometimes the insect problem becomes so severe that I simply 'communicate' with them, hoping they will eat the leaves of plants that have no economic value. I won't harm them; I just hope to keep the core of the cauliflower for myself," Fan Jiaqi points to the diamond cauliflower with leaves ravaged by insects and explains that this sort of "communication" actually yields quite a bit of success. "You see the leaves are all eaten, but the core of the cauliflower is really left for me. We each give each other a way out." The insects gave Fan Jiaqi a lifeline, but their journey as young farmers has not been smooth. Originally operating in the shoe business with stores and online sales, Fan Jiaqi and her husband Lin Junwei saw their advantage disappear when Taobao entered Taiwan, leading them to close their business. While pondering what to do next, they faced a personal crisis when Fan Jiaqi's father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Pregnant at the time, she began to reflect on the importance of healthy eating, which sparked her interest in farming. At 40 years old, Lin Junwei and 35-year-old Fan Jiaqi found it difficult to talk about farming, especially against the backdrop of traditional farming methods used by older generations, where crops are typically large and beautiful, making organic farming quite challenging and sometimes misunderstood. Fan Jiaqi stated, "At that time, only my father agreed with my plan to farm; everyone else, including my husband's family, did not support it. However, my father, a recipient of the Shennong Award, had profound agricultural knowledge and experience, making him my greatest ally." Taking Steps as Young Farmers In Miaoli’s Dahu District, Fan Jiaqi's father, a strawberry farmer recognized with the Shennong Award, has become an invaluable advisor for both Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei in their agricultural endeavors. Whenever they face issues in the field, they frequently take photos to consult with her father, sparing themselves many misguided attempts as novice farmers. Sometimes, rather than rushing to explain, her wise father encourages them to try and learn from their mistakes, allowing them to gain valuable experience. Since her father is a strawberry farmer, "Kiss Fruit Farm" primarily consists of three sections: two focused on strawberries and another dedicated to vegetables. With a strong vision, Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei committed from the start to using organic methods to treat the land well and grow healthy crops. In addition to her father's solid support, they continually think about how to harvest crops more efficiently, such as the use of "filter screens," which has amazed everyone. The Power of Air Conditioner Filter Screens One of the biggest problems for strawberry farmers is the spread of powdery mildew. Typically, strawberry farms are surrounded by wind and bird-proof nets, but these cannot completely eliminate the occurrence of diseases. Fan Jiaqi had a sudden idea to use air conditioner filter screens instead of traditional windbreaks—perhaps it would work even better. "It’s truly miraculous. After we set up the filter screens, the greenhouse remained warm in winter and cool in summer. During the cold wave earlier this year that brought snow to many areas, strawberry farmers suffered great losses, but our farm remained completely unaffected; while it was 1°C outside, our greenhouse maintained a temperature of 5°C." In addition to the idea of using filter screens, to prevent nutrient loss from the soil, they also thought of covering the soil with PVC material. PVC is commonly used for strawberry planting; covering the soil prevents nutrient loss and reduces the risk of bacterial contamination. Fan Jiaqi applied this technique to the vegetable garden as well, and to make vegetable planting more efficient, she even invented a hole-poking planting method. "All you need to do is take a T-shaped tool, poke round holes in the soil, and drop the seedlings in. It’s much simpler than the traditional method of having to rake a trench, place seedlings in, and then cover them with soil." Growing Strawberries and Vegetables Organically Young farmers Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei were initially met with skepticism from friends and family, but from facing doubts to now experiencing high demand, even offering reservations for strawberry picking and vegetable harvesting on weekends, they showcase their resilience and demonstrate the future trend of Taiwan's agriculture—being friendly to the land and providing quality produce. Info: Address: No. 80, Lane 286, Huanbei Road, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County Phone: 0925-070-601 Hours: Strawberry picking and vegetable harvesting available by reservation on Saturdays and Sundays; hours are announced on Facebook.
