This year’s New Year’s reception took a unique twist: on January 8, agricultural counselors from the EU Delegation, Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Japan, the USA, the Netherlands, and France, along with a representative from the Heinrich Böll Foundation, accepted an invitation from the German Embassy and the DCZ to visit Beijing’s countryside for a strawberry-picking event.
At Pingren Farm, the group was warmly welcomed by the farm owners, Mr. Xia and Mr. Luo, who shared the story of their farm and the challenges they’ve faced over 11 years of running an organic operation. They highlighted obstacles such as the high costs of organic certification and the difficulty in attracting motivated workers, particularly young people.
During a tour of the farm’s greenhouses, the visitors saw firsthand how these traditional structures are perfectly suited to Northern China’s climate. Even in freezing outdoor temperatures, the farm produces an impressive variety of green vegetables without the need for additional heating. The highlight of the day was, of course, a visit to one of the strawberry greenhouses. Guests were invited to pick as many strawberries as they could within a set time, making for a fun and lively experience.
The tour concluded with a gathering in the farm’s meeting room. German Agricultural Counselor Friederike Dörfler gave an overview of Germany’s organic farming policies, while Eva Sternfeld from the DCZ presented key findings from the DCZ’s study on organic farming in China. These presentations sparked an engaging discussion among the guests and the farm owners, Mr. Xia and Mr. Luo.