At 57, Li Xiaoxia stands in Zhaoyuan City, Shandong Province, managing her orchard. Previously an English teacher for nearly 20 years, she retired in 2022 and leased an old orchard of over 1,000 mu (approximately 66.67 hectares) in Tengjia village, Biguo town. She transformed it into a modern orchard, selecting apple varieties suited to Zhaoyuan's climate and implementing a trellis system, anti-hail nets, and an integrated irrigation and fertilization system.
Li Xiaoxia is deeply involved in the orchard's operations. Despite the physical demands, she finds fulfillment in her work. Her efforts have turned the orchard into a local demonstration site, and she actively shares her knowledge with neighboring farmers, aiding the development of large-scale orchards in the region. The orchard generates about 200 jobs during peak fruiting periods, increasing farmers' income by approximately five million yuan (about $688,050).
Last fall, Li Xiaoxia faced the challenge of over 50,000 kilograms of unsold apples. Her niece, Li Shaoyan, suggested using short videos to market them. Initially hesitant, Li Xiaoxia embraced the idea, introducing her apples in fluent English. The video went viral, earning over 6,000 likes and more than 200 comments in less than a day. She has since posted over a dozen videos, amassing 240,000 followers and millions of likes.
Li Xiaoxia also ventured into live streaming to sell apples. Despite initial nervousness, she learned the skills independently. Her sales reached 400 boxes of apples daily, with revenue nearing 10,000 yuan (about $1,376). "Learning is never just for the young," she remarked, emphasizing the value of continuous improvement.
Source: People's Daily
