Spring outing at Dalei Lake – breathe in the strawberry fragrance of the countryside

True to its name, Shanjiding Orchard Farm is located on a mountaintop, with a river valley cliff in front and surrounded by natural forests. The farm is adorned with flowers and plants thoughtfully arranged by the owner. Occasionally, eagles circle overhead, and Owner Fan can not only mimic the call of a female eagle to call a male but can also count how many eagle families live nearby. It’s completely unexpected to pick strawberries in such a serene environment, completely shattering the usual image of strawberry farms next to busy roads.

On the day of our visit, the weather was kind with warm sunshine, tiny dewdrops on the round leaves reflecting a sparkling shine, making the bright red strawberries look even more appetizing, while cute little white flowers would soon bear sweet fruits. Upon seeing a strawberry shaped like conjoined twins, we couldn’t help but ask Fan’s son, Xiaowei, “Is this a normal shape?” He said that fruits from the second batch of flowers all look like this.

 

It turns out that strawberries will continue to bloom and fruit as long as they are in an environment with less than five hours of sunlight and temperatures between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Therefore, during Dalei Lake’s strawberry season, there are four flowering periods in total. The strawberries from the first batch of flowers in December to January are the most storable, those from the second batch in February are the largest, those from the third batch in March are the sweetest, and those from the fourth batch in April are...

the cheapest.

Shanjiding Orchard Farm has three ground-level strawberry fields and five elevated strawberry fields. Those who want a traditional experience can squat down in the ground fields, while those who prefer a more comfortable strawberry-picking experience can go to the elevated fields, where the ground is fully covered with black plastic sheeting—no need to worry about getting dirty, making it a hit for families.

 

This farm has not only been certified by GYOUPU and the Production Traceability System but also holds ISO22000 certification. Owner Fan said that both GYOUPU and the Production Traceability System require joining a production and marketing group to apply for, while ISO was something he applied for on his own initiative. Because he often saw the ISO certification mark while traveling and was very curious, he specifically called the organizing body to inquire. In the end, the certifications obtained by the farm include quality, environment, risk management, and more—it’s a safe and reassuring place to pick strawberries.

 

Fan’s dedication and diligence can be seen from the early days of establishing the farm. This land was not inherited but was something Fan and his brother worked hard to achieve together. Their father originally leased land from indigenous people in the mountains of Tai’an Township to grow vegetables, but due to poor eyesight, he often fell in the fields. Fan wanted to stay close to his parents and believed that farming was a decent way to make a living, so he persuaded his brother to stay in their hometown and work hard together. Over the years, the two took turns attending various agricultural training programs, continuously improving their skills and knowledge, while also insisting on reading professional books because having a theoretical foundation prevents blind following and enables effective growth through experience. This effort reduced the farm’s costs by a full 30%.