As early summer arrives and fields overflow with ripening produce, Wudi County in Binzhou City has entered the peak harvest season for its organic watermelons. At the watermelon-picking greenhouses of Yuantu Family Farm, lush vines stretch across the fields and round, ruby-red watermelons hang beneath the leaves. Visitors carrying baskets stroll through the greenhouses, handpicking fresh fruit and enjoying the harvest atmosphere. On weekends and weekday evenings alike, streams of residents arrive to experience fruit picking, making rural agritourism one of the most popular summer leisure activities in the area.
“We adhere to green, pollution-free cultivation practices and never spray chemical pesticides throughout the growing process,” said Ma Li, head of the farm. According to her, all crops are fertilized using natural organic fertilizers and specialized foliar nutrients. Irrigation water is sourced from the Yellow River and undergoes sedimentation and filtration before reaching the fields. The combination of high-quality water and eco-friendly fertilizers ensures food safety from the source. Thanks to these rigorous cultivation standards, the farm’s watermelons are known for their crisp texture, abundant juice, and naturally sweet flavor that evokes memories of traditional homegrown watermelons.
To maximize returns, the farm has adopted a staggered planting strategy. It currently operates seven standardized watermelon greenhouses, primarily growing the early-maturing Quanmei 2K and Sweet King varieties, which are now in full harvest season. In addition, the farm manages 15 mu (approximately 2.5 acres) of open-field watermelon plots planted with mid- and late-season varieties such as Qilin and Meidu. These crops are expected to reach the market over the next month, effectively extending both the harvesting period and the farm’s operating season.
Field management is carried out with meticulous attention to detail. Every stage—from seedling cultivation and vine training to fruit thinning and water control—is carefully monitored to ensure premium quality. The consistently excellent taste has earned the farm a large number of loyal returning customers.
Superior quality has translated into strong market demand. In addition to on-site picking and direct sales, the farm’s organic watermelons have gained widespread recognition through word-of-mouth recommendations. The fruit is now sold in major supermarkets across the county and has become a sought-after employee welfare purchase for many local companies, resulting in robust production and sales growth.
Since the beginning of the year, Wudi County has focused on a development strategy centered on a “sweet economy” that benefits local livelihoods. Leveraging its favorable natural resources and agricultural conditions, the county has vigorously promoted specialty fruit cultivation and modern agricultural development to help farmers achieve stable income growth.
At the same time, local authorities have actively explored new models that integrate agriculture and tourism. By using specialty fruits and vegetables such as watermelons as attractions, Wudi has revitalized rural land resources, expanded leisure agriculture opportunities, and continued to foster new quality productive forces in the agricultural sector.
A small organic watermelon has become much more than a seasonal fruit—it has brought joy to visitors and prosperity to farming households. Through the development of its distinctive “sweet industry,” Wudi County is steadily advancing rural revitalization, transforming specialty agriculture into a sustainable engine for rural prosperity and long-term economic growth.
