We were handed an orchard with weeds up to our knees

(Written in 2023)

As soon as we were selected as young successor farmers, the first thing we did was check the Farmland Bank. A 1,400-pyeong tangerine orchard in Hallim came up for lease, and three young successor farmers applied at the same time.

First priority as young successor farmers — but three of us competing

Young successor farmers get first priority at the Farmland Bank, but as luck would have it, three of us with first priority applied. We even submitted our agricultural training certificates and organic farming technician license as extra documents. Remembering how we'd kept applying, calling and sending documents to the Farmland Bank even before we were selected, we laugh: "Were we on a blacklist or something?"

In the end, we were selected

After holding on so persistently, we were selected as the tenants. It was exactly "At last… we start farming!"

But it wasn't in great shape

The orchard we got had weeds up to our knees, and many dead trees. Dead trees that had already been pulled out were piled here and there across the field, so much that they blocked the way. The trees were heavy and big, so moving them wasn't easy. Tangerines no one had picked last winter were still hanging on the trees. The fruit hadn't been cleared, the trees hadn't been pruned, and there were lots of insects.

The first job: mowing

We wondered whether to give nutrients first or spray insecticide and fungicide first, but the order was clear: mow first, then spray nutrients and insecticide/fungicide while pruning.

Looking back now — this neglected orchard became the starting point of MIEDEN FARM's tangerine growing.