In the misty foothills of Dali’s Cangshan Mountain, Patrick Bachstätter – a Swedish farmer with dirt under his nails and a passion for sustainable agriculture – has become an unlikely local icon. Since returning to China in early 2025, he’s turned heads by practicing revolutionary 'no-till' farming techniques, proving that roots grow deep when nurtured with respect.
🔥 The breakthrough? This December, Patrick received China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card – a golden ticket marking his official transition from outsider to community pillar. 'It’s not just paperwork,' he says, 'it’s trust.'
🚜 His 4,500-km road trip across China with his father this summer became a viral diary of dumpling-fueled pit stops, generational bonding, and jaw-dropping landscapes. 'Every mile showed me why this place gets under your skin,' he reflects.
👨🌾 Today, Patrick’s daughter chases butterflies through rows of chemical-free crops – living proof that home isn’t just where you’re from, but where you grow. As he puts it: 'China’s not perfect, but neither am I. We’re both getting better, together.'
