Kiss Fruit Farm Introduction
Although winter is coming to an end and spring is about to arrive, visiting "Qin Qin Guo Nong Yuan" still made me pull my collar tight to fend off the cold wind that occasionally intrudes on my skin. However, even with the temperature low enough to be a bit uncomfortable, in the vegetable farm of "Qin Qin Guo Nong Yuan", I saw young farmers Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei still diligently working in the fields without a word of complaint. "Qin Qin Guo Nong Yuan" is located in Zhubei City, right next to a busy highway. Lin Junwei was spraying a beneficial bacteria in the vegetable garden. This bacterium is harmless to vegetables but causes toxic proteins to pests. Committed to organic farming without the use of pesticides, the two insist on using various biological controls to prevent pest problems. Making Friends with Pests to Reduce Damage "Sometimes pest damage is too severe, so I just try to 'communicate' with the pests, hoping they can eat the leaves that have no economic value. I won't harm them; I just hope they will leave the cauliflower for me," Fan Jiaqi pointed to the diamond cauliflower in the garden, which had been ravaged by pests, and said, "This kind of 'communication' has been quite effective. You see, the leaves are all eaten, but the cauliflower in the middle is indeed left for me. We give each other a way out." The pests have given Fan Jiaqi a lifeline, but the road for the two young farmers has not been so smooth. Fan Jiaqi and her husband Lin Junwei originally operated a shoe business with a physical store and engaged in online retail. When Taobao entered Taiwan, their competitive edge was lost, leading them to conclude their business. Just as they were pondering their next steps, Fan Jiaqi's father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer, and she became pregnant, prompting her to start thinking about the importance of healthy eating, which led to her desire to farm. Lin Junwei is 40 years old, and Fan Jiaqi is 35. Farming is not an easy choice, especially facing traditional farming methods used by the older generation, where crops are large and beautiful. Organic cultivation presents numerous challenges, and it was even met with misunderstanding at times. Fan Jiaqi stated, "At that time, only my father supported my idea of farming; the rest, including my in-laws, did not agree. However, my father is a recipient of the Shennong Award, with profound agricultural knowledge and experience, making him my best helper." Stepping onto the path of young farmers, one step at a time Fan Jiaqi's father, who received the Shennong Award for growing strawberries in Miaoli Dahu, became the best advisor for Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei in farming. Whenever they faced issues in the fields, they often took photos to consult with Fan's father, which helped the novice farmers avoid many unnecessary detours. Sometimes, however, the wise father would not rush to explain the problems, allowing the children to try and fail deliberately to gain valuable experience. Since her father is a strawberry farmer, "Qin Qin Guo Nong Yuan" has three main areas: two are strawberry fields, and another is a vegetable garden. With a clear vision, Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei were determined to treat the land well using organic methods to grow healthy crops. In addition to strong support from Fan’s father, they continuously sought ways to improve the efficiency of their yields. For instance, their use of "filter mesh" surprised many. Air Conditioning Filter Mesh Works Wonders The most common issue for strawberry farmers is the transmission of powdery mildew, usually prevented by surrounding the fields with wind and bird nets, yet this cannot entirely eradicate disease occurrence. Fan Jiaqi had a sudden inspiration to use air conditioning filter mesh instead of traditional wind nets, as it might prove more effective, "It's really amazing. After installing the filter mesh, the greenhouse is warm in winter and cool in summer. For example, during the cold wave earlier this year that caused snow in various regions, all surrounding strawberry farmers faced severe losses, but our farm was completely unaffected; when it was 1°C outside, we still maintained a temperature of 5°C inside the greenhouse." In addition to the filter mesh idea, to prevent soil nutrient loss, they also thought of using PVC to cover the soil. PVC material is often used for strawberry cultivation; by covering the soil with PVC, it not only prevents nutrient loss but also lowers the risk of bacterial contamination. Fan Jiaqi applied this technique in their vegetable garden as well. To make planting more efficient, she even invented a hole-punch planting method, "You just need to take a T-shaped tool and punch out small circular holes in the soil, then throw the seedlings in." Fan Jiaqi laughed and said this process simplified the traditional methods of making a trench, placing seedlings, and covering the soil. Growing vegetables and strawberries organically, young farmers Fan Jiaqi and Lin Junwei were once underestimated by friends and family. From being questioned to now facing high demand, they even offer reservations for customers to pick vegetables and strawberries on weekends, demonstrating their resilience and showcasing the future trend of Taiwan's agriculture as friendly to the land while providing quality ingredients. Info. Address: No. 80, Lane 286, Huanbei Road, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County Phone: 0925-070-601 Hours: Reservations for strawberry picking and vegetable harvesting are available on Saturdays and Sundays; opening hours are announced on their Facebook page.
