In the late autumn at Xiping Forest Farm in Tai'an County, Anshan City, autumn winds sweep across thousands of acres of orchards. Sunlight bathes the apples that have shed their protective "coats" (fruit bags), revealing a hidden harvest emerging from the sandy soil.

At Shuaixiang Ecological Picking Garden, operator Jia Shufen holds up a wrinkled old fruit bag for visitors to see: "This bag may look ordinary, but it's the apple's 'protective charm.' With this covering, insects can't penetrate, and wind and rain won't damage the skin. That's how apples grow so perfectly shaped - one bite delivers pure sweetness."

This 50-acre orchard represents Jia Shufen's treasured asset, where 5,800 fruit trees bear apples so heavy they bend the branches. "This year, I conservatively estimate we'll harvest 120,000 pounds - enough to keep us busy for quite a while!" Jia Shufen beams with joy when discussing the harvest.

At Xiping Forest Farm, apples have served more than just a cash crop since the day they were first planted. This location houses over 80% of Tai'an County's protective forests. When apple saplings take root in the sandy soil, they simultaneously prevent sandstorms and produce sweet fruit, combining ecological benefits with profit generation.

Previously, this area experienced blowing sand and dust storms. After extensive testing, forest farm personnel selected the cold-hardy apple variety for its deep root system that stabilizes sand while producing sweet fruit. Now the variety selection has expanded to include premium cultivars like "Leqi" and "Wanglin," steadily expanding the "sweet territory" of the sandy soil.

Under nearby rows of fruit trees, Jia Shufen bends down and parts the branches to reveal hidden "Leqi" apples - small in size with golden-yellow skin tinged with pale red. "Don't underestimate their size - they sell for 20 yuan per pound, and people compete to buy them!"

She gently cradles the apples in her hands, her voice filled with pride: "Who would have imagined such precious fruit could grow in sandy soil where even grass wouldn't grow before!"

Zhang Wei, Deputy Director of Xiping Forest Farm, explains the secret behind quality apples from sandy soil: "Tai'an is a plain area, unlike mountainous regions where irrigation and fertilization are challenging. We've implemented integrated water and fertilizer systems - dissolving organic fertilizer in water and delivering both through pipes directly into the sandy soil." She scoops up a handful of sandy soil, saying, "Look how loose this soil is, with excellent air permeability allowing tree roots to breathe freely. Combined with abundant sunlight here, sugar concentrates in the fruit, making the apples thin-skinned, crisp, and sweet - treasured by everyone."

Jia Shufen's orchard serves as a model for Xiping Forest Farm's apple industry. The entire forest farm now encompasses 2,000 acres of apple orchards, producing 50 million kilograms of fruit annually. Local residents can earn an additional 30,000 to 40,000 yuan per year from this industry alone.

Regarding future plans, Jia Shufen touches the fruit trees beside her: "I'm getting older and not familiar with smartphones and internet things. My children tell me that livestreaming can show our apples to people nationwide. I plan to learn from my children and start livestreaming to let more people know that such sweet apples can grow in Tai'an's sandy soil!"

Zhang Wei envisions a more comprehensive future: "We can't just sell fresh fruit - we need to extend the industrial chain. In the future, we'll develop apple processing to make dried apples and apple juice, turning fruit into 'storable sweet snacks.' We'll also combine apple picking with rural tourism, allowing visitors to pick apples while staying at farmhouse inns and enjoying local cuisine. This way, fruit trees will both prevent sandstorms and support rural revitalization - achieving dual benefits!"