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 to summarise and pass on their experience, thereby addressing the shortage of high-quality labour on farms.
Thank you all for your interest and enthusiastic applications. Recruitment is now closed, and we will contact suitable candidates as soon as possible. Additionally, we received numerous applications from ecological farms. After site visits and consultations by our team, four new ecological farms have joined us, meaning a total of 12 farms will serve as the “fields and furrows” for our third cohort of interns. Let’s take a look~
The newly joined farms are as follows:
01 Tianyuanbang Local Learning Centre
Huizhou, Guangdong
Tianyuanbang consists of an original 30-mu site and a new 12-mu site. To support organic farming and nature education based on local crafts, the farm employs diversified cultivation and husbandry, including various grains, vegetables, herbs, and fruits, as well as chickens, ducks, geese, cattle, sheep, horses, and fish. Through spring and autumn excursions, short-break family camps, winter and summer camps, and study tours focused on farming and local crafts, the centre hosts over a hundred activities throughout the year, with unique content for every season.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Hu Weihe
A Permaculture teacher and the founder of the Tianyuanbang Local Learning Centre. In 2004, after leaving university, he joined the founding team of the Chengdu Waldorf School, where he served as a gardening teacher and taught woodwork and clay modelling for five years. From 2009 to 2011, he spent two years at Emerson College in the UK studying biodynamic organic agriculture, visiting various Waldorf schools, biodynamic farms, and communities across the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden. Between 2012 and 2013, while serving as the Secretary-General of the Demeter Organic Agriculture Association in Beijing, he attended the Permaculture Conference and teacher training in Hong Kong, receiving his Permaculture Design Course (PDC) teacher certification from Rosemary Morrow. Subsequently, he invited Tang Min, Qiu Yiru, and Yan Jiacheng to launch China’s first 14-day Permaculture design course in Beijing. From 2013 to 2014, he spent two years providing planning, design, and consultancy for organic educational gardens. In 2014, after a two-month nature school residency in Japan with a Sino-Japanese partner organisation, he returned to his hometown in 2015 to found Tianyuanbang, exploring the development of a modern “study-and-farming” education.
Ideal Intern: Someone who can commit a full year to the internship; proactive, honest, friendly, respectful of others, and a skilled communicator; curious and open-minded toward learning new things; fond of a simple, rustic rural life; deeply interested in organic farming (biodynamics, permaculture), Waldorf education, nature education, and local crafts, with a desire to engage in practical work combining farming, craftsmanship, and education. Intern Responsibilities: Live, work, learn, research, and practice within a beautiful ancient Hakka village in Guangdong. Through a “learning by doing” approach, you will explore the ecology and culture behind farming, food, and local crafts. Tasks include gardening, food preparation and processing, handicrafts, woodwork, construction, and more. Starting as an assistant, you will gradually move towards leading activities independently and eventually designing and developing your own. Throughout this process, the mentor will provide the necessary guidance and support.
Guidance provided to interns:
Tianyuanbang continuously hosts various “Food, Agriculture, and Local Crafts” workshops, where experts and mentors share their research and practices from diverse perspectives to help interns broaden their thinking and horizons.
02 Mushroom-kun Farm
Pinggu, Beijing
Specialising in high-quality mushroom cultivation, the farm also produces a variety of vegetables. Since 2013, it has established itself as the most professional high-quality mushroom farm in Beijing, producing approximately twenty types of mushrooms annually.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Mushroom-kun
Specialising in high-quality mushroom cultivation since 2013, he focuses on exploring food safety and taste within the field of fungi. He is one of the most experienced mushroom farmers in the ecological agriculture sector.
Ideal Intern: We seek individuals with a professional attitude and a strong work ethic. If you are looking for a carefree, drifting rural lifestyle, this may not be the right place for you. We believe that the attitude towards learning and work is paramount; it is the fundamental requirement. Experience and knowledge can be taught, but attitude is the intern’s own responsibility.
Intern Responsibilities: Involvement in the entire production process of several mushroom varieties; independently managing the production of one or more types of mushrooms; vegetable cultivation; and the maintenance of the farm’s water and electricity systems.
Guidance provided to interns: Opportunities to network with industry veterans and gain a deep understanding of the current state of the mushroom industry and fresh produce distribution in China; learning and practising professional composting techniques; learning the production, promotion, marketing, delivery, and after-sales service of one or more fresh agricultural products; and exploring entrepreneurial practice in agriculture by investing maximum effort and wisdom with minimal capital.
03 Pengcheng Natural Farm
Founded in 2014, the farm covers approximately 50 mu, with sweet potatoes, lychees, and guavas as the primary cash crops. The founder hopes to return to a healthy and peaceful life through the practice of natural farming, while providing others with the opportunity to understand and experience a healthier, more environmentally friendly, and sustainable way of farming.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Wang Pengcheng
Born in the 1980s and formerly an employee of a state-owned enterprise, he decided to change his lifestyle ten years ago due to concerns over food safety and environmental issues, dedicating himself to the practice, exploration, and promotion of natural farming.
Ideal Intern: A commitment of at least six months; a willingness to work diligently, working 6 hours a day with 2 days off per week.
Intern Responsibilities: Planting and assisting with farm activities (guest reception).
Guidance provided to interns: Experience in sustainable farm management and natural farming techniques.
04 Guixinyuan Farm
Huizhou, Guangdong
Guixinyuan is a Permaculture practice farm. The farm spans over 110 mu, with half the area consisting of mountain forests, 30 mu of ponds, 10 mu of orchards, and 10 mu of vegetable gardens and croplands. It features diverse planting, ranging from daily seasonal vegetables and fruits to staple grains. Livestock mainly consists of fish and chickens.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Zhang Suqiang
Founder of Guixinyuan Permaculture Farm. He has spent 14 years as a “semi-farmer” practising urban permaculture. He is a PDC lecturer for Simple Life/Permaculture Culture in Shenzhen, a senior permaculture design practitioner, a bread-oven architect, and the founder of the Wutong Mountain Simple Life Farm in Shenzhen.
Expectations for Interns: We seek candidates who are proactive in the development of the farm, conscientious about maintaining the cleanliness of common areas, and possess an open mind toward learning new knowledge and skills. Available roles for interns: Planting, livestock rearing, marketing (promotion), farm activities (hospitality), and customer service.
Guidance provided to interns: Permaculture design principles and their implementation.
The following partner farms will continue to accept interns:
01 Yinlin Ecological Farm
Founded in 2009 and spanning over 70 mu, Yinlin Farm began practising ecological planting in 2013. The farm focuses primarily on vegetable production, following the laws of nature. Beyond eschewing pesticides, chemical fertilisers, and herbicides, the farm remains committed to production methods that are friendly to the soil, the environment, and people, employing autonomous composting and grass-mulching to improve soil quality and biodiversity. By continuously advancing its scientific understanding of ecological agriculture, Yinlin Farm has gradually established its own system of planting techniques.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Guo Rui
Graduated in 2005 from South China Agricultural University with a degree in Biotechnology, Guo Rui returned to his hometown to start his own venture in 2009 and began practising ecological planting in 2013. Throughout this journey, he has completed training in natural farming, regenerative agriculture, and soil improvement, continuously studying and researching ecological planting techniques. He hopes the farm can provide comfortable living conditions for his family, a joyful environment for his children to grow up in, and healthy, nutritious, and safe food for consumers.
Expectations for Interns: We hope to see more young people understand and engage with ecological agriculture. The farm requires youth to assist with planting management, data organisation, and marketing and promotion, eventually participating in the overall management of the farm to ensure that ecological agriculture has a next generation to carry it forward. We seek those with an interest in ecological farming or healthy living who are willing to invest effort into learning, are self-disciplined, possess hands-on ability, and show respect for the older generation of farmers. Available roles for interns: Planting, marketing (promotion), and farm activities (hospitality).
Guidance provided to interns: Ecological planting techniques, machinery operation, farm management, and marketing.
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02 Letian Bay Farm
Fengxian, Shanghai
Letian Bay Farm covers 86 mu, including over 40 mu of woodland and 20 mu of planting area, with the remainder dedicated to public spaces. Established in April 2020, the farm advocates for a “five-two” rural lifestyle (five days in the city, two in the country). Its primary business is plot rentals for citizens, while also offering educational courses on farming, nature experiences, and manual arts. Members grow approximately 60 varieties of seasonal vegetables on their plots throughout the year, using traditional farming methods entirely. No chemical agents such as pesticides or chemical fertilisers are used; instead, the farm employs organic methods, including organic fertilisers and bio-pesticides.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Yuan Qinghua
A Master’s graduate of Renmin University of China, Yuan Qinghua has been involved in Chinese rural construction since 2003 under the guidance of Professor Wen Tiejun. He has previously served as the General Manager of Xiaomaolv Citizen Farm and Fengshou Design, and as the Operations Director of Chuangzhi Farm; he is currently the General Manager of Letian Bay Farm. In 2008, he studied natural farming under Cho Han-kyu in South Korea, and in 2010, he obtained a Permaculture Design Course certificate in Hong Kong. In 2019, he earned a Nature Education certification from Cornell University. From 2009 to 2010, he spent a year studying organic planting systematically at the Rice God system in Thailand.
Expectations for Interns: We hope young people can bring fresh blood and vitality to the farm, providing creative ideas for farm construction, helping to enrich activities, innovate, and refine the farm’s curriculum system. We also encourage bold experimentation with various self-media channels for external promotion. We seek individuals with a grounded heart and hardworking hands, capable of adapting to the rhythm of farm life and work. Interns are expected to follow farm rules and possess a proactive learning ability to apply their knowledge during the internship. Available roles for interns:
1. Planting
2. Marketing: Sales, promotion, and customer service
3. Farm activities (hospitality)
4. Farm construction, etc.
Guidance provided to interns: Learning various ecological farming techniques, such as natural farming, permaculture, bio-composting, machinery maintenance, and practical skills in farm construction, as well as lessons learned from farm operational management.
03 Zhiliangtian Ecological Farm
The farm covers 1,000 mu, with a planting scale of 160 mu. The primary crops are honey melon and millet, and the farm also collaborates in Alxa to produce ecological plums and desert mutton.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Ma Yanwei
Founder of Alxa Zhiliangtian Ecological Farm and Zhixing Study Tour, and holder of a Master’s degree in Ecology from Beijing Normal University. Ma Yanwei joined the Alxa SEE Conservation Association in 2005 and later settled in Alxa to found Zhiliangtian Ecological Farm.
Expectations for Interns: We seek those with a genuine interest in farm life and work who are diligent, capable, and eager to learn. You should be proactive—possessing both passion and a keen eye for what needs to be done, taking the initiative whenever help is needed. Additionally, please note that working on a farm requires resilience; one cannot be too delicate.
Available roles for interns:
1. Daily production
2. Leading and preparing nature education activities
3. Product design, short video production, and marketing
4. Daily farm maintenance and logistics
Guidance provided to interns:
1. Ecological planting techniques
2. Farm management and operations
3. Design and organisation of nature education and study tour activities
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04 Yuefeng Island Organic Farm
Kunshan, Jiangsu
Yuefeng Island Organic Farm is a national-level ecological farm invested in and established by the Kunshan City Investment Group. Spanning 230 mu, it began operations in 2010 on the shores of Lake Yangcheng in Kunshan. The farm adheres to organic principles, focusing on maintaining soil health and using soil-friendly organic cultivation methods to protect water resources. By employing landscape architectural design, Yuefeng Island blends agriculture with aesthetics to create a comprehensive aquatic ecosystem and a rich terrestrial ecosystem, resulting in a composite landscape where farmlands, vegetable plots, wetlands, woodlands, and specialised architectural sites coexist. Rooted in farming, the farm delves deep into the ecological value of agriculture, systematically organises local farming culture, develops educational materials for agricultural science, and carries out a diverse range of farming education activities.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Tang Yaozhong
Head of Production Technology at Yuefeng Island Organic Farm and a local expert in organic rice. He manages the production and daily operations of the entire park, leading the team to produce and manage strictly according to organic technical standards while actively exploring sustainable ecological agriculture. He also liaises with research institutes within and outside the province to collect and preserve local specialised germplasm resources, screening for varieties suitable for local cultivation and promotion, such as Su Yu Nuo, Duck Blood Nuo, and local taro. He designs edible landscapes that make learning fun and partners with local schools and families to help develop agricultural science curricula.
What we look for in interns: We hope to attract young people to participate in various research projects and help document the farm’s cultivation and management experience; we also aim to build a talent pool for the farm’s future development. We seek interns with strong curiosity, a desire for exploration, and a hardworking, dependable nature. Roles available for interns: Planting, experimental research (cultivation and recording of heirloom varieties).
Guidance provided to interns:
1. Agricultural production and farm management
2. Guidance on experiments and research regarding soil improvement, heirloom variety preservation, and biodiversity
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05 Lvwo Farm
Xianyang, Shaanxi
Lvwo Farm is located in the heart of the Guanzhong region in Shaanxi, beside the Zheng Guo Canal. Founded by Da Hei in 2014, it practices the Australian ‘Vital Farming’ method. Following the principle of “treating the root before the illness appears,” the farm focuses on the restoration and strengthening of soil vitality. It uses soil activation formulas made from purely natural materials and diverse green manures. Based on a deep awareness of the farm’s specific characteristics, it employs systemic methods—including the development and use of suitable conservation tillage machinery—to achieve the goals of soil health, crop resilience, labour efficiency, and environmental friendliness.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Da Hei
Founded Lvwo Farm in 2014, studying and practising the Vital Farming method. He established the local Vital Farming Association and serves as a lecturer. He has modified a large number of agricultural machines to make them suitable for local use without damaging the soil structure.
What we look for in interns: We hope for the farm to evolve into a social enterprise, contributing to the training of future ecological farmers and specialists in the ecological field. We seek interns who are genuinely interested in the practical aspects of agriculture. Talent on the production front line is currently the most scarce; work based on first-hand field production is most conducive to the progress of other farm activities. Roles available for interns: Interns will participate in all aspects of the farm’s operations. Because the farm is an integrated whole, it cannot be understood in fragments; learning here means learning comprehensively.
Guidance provided to interns: From theoretical understanding to every aspect of practical operation, including product research and development and sales—we can explore all these fields together.
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06 Liangliang Family Farm
Chengdu, Sichuan
Established in 2013 and covering 30 mu, the farm primarily grows small yellow ginger, alongside various vegetables including carrots and wheat, and grain and oil crops (utilising a crop rotation of vegetables, grains, oils, and green manure). The farm hosts activities such as agricultural food education, life camps, and summer camps. Liangliang Farm is a family-run operation within a local village, bringing rural families together to practise soil-friendly farming and build an ecological community (Niujiaoyan Life Village), maintaining strong links and interaction with the surrounding village.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Tang Liang
Born after 1985, Tang Liang is the proprietor of Liangliang Farm. He graduated in Biological Sciences from Southwest University in 2008 and worked for a tech company in Chongqing. From 2011 to 2013, he spent two years interning at the “Little Donkey” and “Sharing Harvest” ecological farms. In 2013, he returned to his hometown to found the Liangliang Family Farm (Tangjia Liangliang Farm), practising soil-friendly farming and bringing rural families together to explore a countryside lifestyle that stays close to the essence of life. In 2020, he became a father and hopes to use his own hands to create a vibrant home for his child to grow up in, exploring the creation of local ecological communities and future life villages.
What we look for in interns: People who love or genuinely want to understand ecological agriculture and rural life, and who are proactive, hardworking in their work and study, and committed to living here—not those just looking for a superficial experience. Interns should be able to participate in basic farming activities, be able to cook for themselves (or at least be willing to try), possess basic learning abilities, and cooperate actively with farm and community staff to complete assigned tasks so that the internship is a truly rewarding journey. Roles available for interns: Production and planting, marketing (sales), communication and promotion, assistance with farm activities, and community building for Niujiaoyan Life Village (Note: In a family farm/community like this, you will not be limited to a single job role; you will typically be involved in various tasks, including learning life skills).
Guidance provided to interns: Ecological agricultural production techniques, farm operation and management, family building, and ecological village construction/community building.
*Liangliang Farm has also launched a Rural Life Partner Programme, and we welcome you to participate through this route. Rural Life Partners have more freedom than interns and are required to pay basic board and lodging costs, offering a relatively low-cost way to experience rural life and work.
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Xiqing Farm was established in August 2015, cultivating strawberries and a variety of seasonal vegetables. Xiqing’s planting philosophy is to produce high-quality agricultural products by using high-quality soil. Fertilisation relies primarily on green manure, supplemented by plant-based compost. Over four years, we have built a fundamental ecosystem at the farm, and the biodiversity within this system continues to flourish.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Wang Xin
Born after 1985, Wang graduated in Landscape Architecture from the Beijing Agricultural College. He began researching ecological agriculture in 2011, hoping to cultivate a healthy, organic lifestyle through the use of high-quality soil.
Desired Interns: We ought to promote an increase in the number of ecological smallholders and family farms; only when there are more small-scale farmers willing to cultivate the land with care will the state of the industry gradually improve. Someone must be there to push for and advance this way of thinking. In truth, I have always wanted to recruit interns—those who love ecological planting and can truly settle their hearts into the work. To study these methods at an agricultural school in Japan requires tuition fees, and admission is not guaranteed. Who wants to learn from me? Come along. Tasks for interns at the farm: Cultivation, farm management, marketing (promotion)
Guidance available to interns: Developing the observation, operational, and judgement skills of aspiring ecological farmers—for instance, how to observe and understand soil, plants, insects, and weather.
08 Yirun Planting Farm: Xingfugu Baicao
Yan Ping’s orchard is located by the Shitang Reservoir in Jidou Village, Wule Township, Guigang, Guangxi. She has planted 40 mu of Wokan citrus, 10 mu of Emperor oranges, over 60 lychee trees, and over 50 banana trees, with intercropped bamboo cane and a small amount of coarse grains and wild vegetables. Beginning in June 2018 with trials of pesticide- and fertiliser-free management across six rows of fruit trees, the entire orchard fully transitioned to ecological cultivation by 2020. Through this, Yan Ping has grown into an ecological ‘new farmer’ with both a clear philosophy and practical experience.
Ecological Farm Mentor
Xie Yanping
My fellow farmers like to call me Sister Yanping. After graduating from high school, I left my hometown to work in Guangdong. After twenty years of drifting, I returned to the land. I hope to live my life here on the farm, working every day—both to keep fit and to support my family. The following is my understanding of ecology, which also serves as the direction and goal guiding me on this ecological path: every inch of land is a paradise for microbes, and thus this land can become a paradise for all living creatures, where they nourish, restrict, and coexist with one another in mutual prosperity. As you reap what you sow, ecology can only be as natural and simple as the changing of the sun and moon or the cycle of the four seasons when the food forest is a food forest for all living beings.
Desired Interns: I am looking for like-minded people to share a life with, supervising one another and rising with the sun and resting with its setting. Tasks for interns at the farm: Shared labour and living, learning from nature together.
Guidance available to interns: Cultivation, marketing (sales), marketing (promotion), farm events (hosting), customer service.
Additionally, Foodthink’s partner organisation, the Farmer Seed Network, also plans to accept interns this year. For those interested in community culture beyond the farm, you may wish to learn more about:
Founded in 2013, the Farmer Seed Network has left its footprint across more than 40 rural communities in 14 provinces nationwide. By conducting action research and diverse innovations in agricultural biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and sustainable food systems, it enhances the capacity and sustainable livelihoods of smallholder farmers. It is one of the first organisations in China to apply participatory research methods to the fields of agricultural biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. Guided by the principles of participatory development and action research, it encourages cooperation between communities and public research institutions to protect, utilise, and innovate farm seeds, promoting the sustainable development of urban and rural communities. It has promoted critical seed biodiversity conservation mechanisms within China, such as participatory breeding, community seed resource registration, and community seed banks. From the home of Aohan millet in Inner Mongolia, to the dryland terraces of Wangjinzhuang in Handan, Hebei; from the Zhuang communities of Mashan in Guangxi, to the Stone City of the Naxi people in Lijiang, Yunnan—we have witnessed the dedication and achievements of local community leaders in the conservation and utilisation of germplasm resources. They are steadfast and wise, guarding their own corner of the home. If you are interested in our work and these communities, you are welcome to join us. Here, you can learn about the most grounded yet cutting-edge work in agricultural biodiversity conservation, discover wise and vibrant traditional knowledge, and participate in local community building while learning about breeding and agricultural cultivation. We also welcome you to bring your own expertise to the community, growing together and witnessing each other’s progress, becoming small seeds that help the community find its voice.
Coordination: Mei YingPhotography: Farm Mentors, Foodthink
