Shen's farm now grows a variety of fruits, including bayberries, watermelons, oranges and tangerines, offering a bounty of fruits year-round.

When the grass grows tall, the farm cuts it down and turns it into organic compost. "We don't use herbicides, which makes it a green method of growing fruit, also helping control soil erosion," Shen said.

The farm employs more than 120 local farmers, including 22 from poverty-stricken households, and their wages vary between 3,000 yuan ($417.91) to 8,000 yuan per month, depending on their responsibilities, Shen said.