"Prune the branches like this to ensure nutrients flow directly to the fruits," said Xu Shuliang, a veteran trainee at the apple training base of Yaozhou District's Liulin Fruit Cooperative Farmer Field School, as he worked and chatted. Wielding pruning shears, he deftly navigated through the branches. This vibrant orchard serves as a dynamic classroom where the school nurtures a new generation of farmers.
"From day one, we never intended to focus on theoretical lectures," said Ren Zhanli, the school’s principal and a renowned local entrepreneur. His tone was resolute as he explained the school’s mission: "What do farmers lack the most? Practical techniques they can apply directly in the fields and methods to boost their income." Following Ren’s lead, we explored the school’s hands-on training base.
Ren elaborated on their curriculum: "We align our courses with the farming seasons—teaching pruning and thinning in spring, bagging and pest control in summer, and harvesting and storage in autumn. Our model combines theory, practice, and follow-up guidance. When a trainee asked how to prevent mold in stored apples, our local experts immediately demonstrated preservative application in the orchard. We can’t let farmers’ hard-earned harvests go to waste."
The school also collaborates with Northwest A&F University. In April, Professor Zhao Zhengyang was invited to lecture over 120 fruit growers on orchard management. "Combining academic expertise with local know-how helps trainees learn quickly and apply skills effectively," Ren noted. To date, this district-level field school has trained 5,000 farmers across three towns in Yaozhou, boosting annual household incomes by an average of 12,000 yuan ($1,680) for 340+ families engaged in apple farming.
The school’s impact is evident in the success stories of its trainees. After hearing about the school’s practical courses, fruit grower Xu Shuliang enrolled immediately, meticulously noting down techniques for pest control, orchard management, and even storage conditions. "I used to spray randomly for leaf spot disease, wasting money and damaging fruit quality. Now, applying the taught methods, my premium-grade apples exceed 70%," Xu shared. His orchard has expanded to 30 acres (half apples, half peaches), generating 240,000 yuan ($33,600) in sales last year while creating jobs for five neighboring households.
Another trainee, Wang Yanbin, transitioned from student to local expert. In 2020, he formed an 8-member technical service team. During the 2023 harvest, when many villagers faced moldy core issues in apples, Wang used testing devices across 20+ orchards to reduce spoilage rates from 15% to under 3%. "Now, villagers seek my advice daily. Helping them is deeply rewarding," he said.
Beyond traditional farming, the school also empowers farmers with e-commerce skills. "We used to rely on middlemen who drove prices down, often leaving surplus unsold," recalled Zhang Jiao, a trainee packaging apples at the cooperative’s processing center. After attending the school’s e-commerce program in 2021, she learned to film harvests and craft product descriptions. "Initially, I struggled to highlight Yaozhou apples’ qualities. Teachers advised showcasing orchard authenticity and emphasizing taste, safety, and quality—sales skyrocketed once I did." Now, Zhang and classmate Ren Xi run an online store selling 1,500 tons of Yaozhou apples annually (8 million yuan/$1.12 million revenue). "Peak season sees 2,000+ daily orders. Next, we’ll add peaches to our online offerings," she added.
By tailoring courses to agricultural cycles and emphasizing hands-on learning, the Liulin Fruit Cooperative Farmer Field School is transforming traditional farmers into skilled, business-savvy agriculturists. As dusk fell, Principal Ren watched apple-laden trucks pass by, hopeful for the future: "We’ll keep improving this school to equip more farmers with technology, quality produce, and better profits—fueling rural revitalization."
On these fertile fields, lessons continue, weaving new chapters of harvest and prosperity.
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