Villagers wear headlights while harvesting leeks in a vegetable field in a village in Weifang, East China's Shandong Province, on April 17, 2024. Photo: VCG

Owning a personal plot for growing fresh, pesticide-free vegetables has long been a dream for many urban dwellers. Now, this dream comes true with the rise of "shared farms," where land is pre-divided and leveled, offering semi- or fully-managed options for those seeking a greener connection.   

In recent years, the concept of "shared farms" has exploded in popularity across many cities in China. In suburban areas, small plots of land, each divided into 20 to 30 square meters, are being rented out to urban dwellers eager to experience farming and reconnect with nature. What was once a retreat for retirees is now becoming a way for young city dwellers to escape the noise and bustle of urban life, pick up a hoe and step into the fields to immerse themselves in farm work.

A "shared farm" refers to rural landowners leasing out unused land to city residents and offering support to help them grow and manage crops. In return, the city residents take on the daily tasks of planting and tending to the crops, ultimately harvesting the produce for their own consumption. This model not only provides a new way to utilize idle rural land but also offers entrepreneurs new business opportunities, while giving people a way to enjoy fresh, safe vegetables and experience the joys of farming life firsthand.

Wang Jiehe, a 36-year-old state-owned enterprise employee, told the Global Times that she and her siblings have been enjoying the shared farm experience for several years. 

"We rented a 40-square-meter plot at a shared garden near Hanhe Road in Beijing's suburb for 5,000 yuan ($690) a year," Wang explained. 

"Initially, it was about getting organic vegetables including eggplants, cabbage and green beans, but then we found that working the land not only improved our fitness and gave us a taste of farm life, but also brought our family together."

Through shared farms, participants experience both material abundance and spiritual nourishment. But the significance of this model extends beyond individual satisfaction. As agricultural culture intersects with modern life, shared farms also help promote consumption, bridge urban and rural divides, and create new business opportunities. By fulfilling deeper, more intrinsic needs, they open up new consumption scenarios and business models.

The owner of an organic farm, surnamed Qi, told the Global Times that the farm, now Beijing's first state-level ecological farm, began offering shared farm services a few years ago. He noted that the farm currently has 261 acres of farmland, mainly growing everyday crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, sweet potatoes, and okra.

"Since adding the shared farm program, we've created a farm tourism zone, mostly for families, with a focus on parent-child activities."

Qi noted that each year, around 60,000 schoolchildren visit the farm to learn about agriculture through social practice activities. The farm offers 27 plots of shared garden space, each measuring about 19.8 square meters. Most visitors come in family groups, with some returning as frequently as 10 to 50 times a year.

Qi said that through experiments using biological agents, organic fertilizers, and innovative technologies, the farm produces high-quality vegetables. Today, organic living has evolved into more than just a dietary preference - it's now a lifestyle philosophy.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn