Mairead McClean

“I may be a farmer, but I'm also an adventurer at heart!”

Mairead grew up on a farm in Northern Ireland, where she developed a passion for agriculture. After studying abroad in Guangzhou, she fell in love with the vibrant city and decided to start her own farming business there. Despite the challenges of navigating a new culture and language, Mairead has become a successful entrepreneur and advocate for sustainable farming practices. When she's not tending to her crops, she enjoys exploring Guangzhou's bustling markets and trying new street food.

What has been your biggest challenge in running a farm in a foreign country?

Definitely the language barrier. I had to learn Mandarin from scratch and it took a lot of patience and practice to be able to communicate effectively with everyone on my team.

What inspired you to become a sustainable farmer?

Growing up on a farm, I saw firsthand how much damage conventional farming practices can do to the environment. I wanted to do things differently and show that it's possible to have a successful farm that also protects the planet.