A field day for Shanghai's expats in Jiading District

A group of 15 expats living in Shanghai were at the Waigang Digital Smart Farm in Jiading District over the weekend for a unique field day organized by City News Service (CNS).

The event, part of CNS's "Hidden Gem" series, aimed to give foreign families an insight into Shanghai's cultural and technological advancements, with a focus on the integration of agriculture and cutting-edge technology.

The day began with an introduction to the innovations shaping modern farming.

Attendees were greeted by the village head and given straw hats as they embarked on a tour of the digital farm. The tour highlighted the operations of drones and other high-tech machinery, such as harvesters and balers.

One of the event's highlights was an art session led by William Andrew van der Meeren, a long-time resident of Waigang originally from the Netherlands, affectionately known as the town's "tall Dutch son-in-law."

Using sustainable materials, families were invited to create art inspired by the rural setting and the farm's high-tech elements. Families took photos with their finished artwork, which were later framed as mementos of the experience.

Reflecting on his creative process, van der Meeren said: "Today, during the stormy weather, we came out for some inspiration and basic sketching, hoping to get new ideas for future artwork.

"It's very interesting to be here on a high-tech farm with drones flying around while we're doing something so pretty basic. It's a nice mix, and the environment is so quiet. I hope everyone is enjoying it today."

Czech participant Martin Ridky said his piece put together the city's iconic landmarks, the familiar buildings that clearly signal Shanghai.

He had heard that the area where these buildings now stood used to be fields. The transformation of the landscape inspired him to merge the image of rice fields with modern buildings, as a tribute to what once existed there. "It was a happy time for me because it told us you have to be creative, you have freedom so you can draw what you want. It was really nice experience."

Petra Muensterova, his wife, said: "We were looking forward to this event because it's an occasion for us. In our country, we don't grow rice so it's very special time and we came to enjoy it."

The event also featured a drone-spraying competition, where families took turns navigating drones, with medals awarded to the winners. Children and parents alike were eager to showcase their skills, blending fun with learning in this friendly competition.

British girl Zhao Yi, who won the competition, said it was amazing to see how technology is helping agriculture grow, and being part of this unique experience in such a scenic and peaceful environment was truly special.

"As the 'chief coach' of my daughter, I was very proud to see her win," said her father, David Potter. "I think it's so nice to see the future of agriculture here in Shanghai."

To conclude the day, participants enjoyed a DIY session making traditional Chinese rice bread, alongside a buffet of local delicacies such as rice pudding, rice bread and sticky rice cakes.

The experience provided not only a taste of Chinese culinary traditions but also a deeper appreciation for the agricultural heritage behind these foods.

The field day was another successful installment of CNS's "Hidden Gem" events, offering expats a chance to connect with Shanghai's evolving cultural and technological landscape.