Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Starting this spring, the NPO Akarui Noho (Representative Director: Takebayashi Yumiko) began cultivating crops by borrowing a field (approximately 1,300 square meters) from a local resident.
The organization was started by Isao Hoshiba (84 years old), a director of the organization, with the cooperation of senior farmers living in Hokuryu Town. The goal is to cultivate and harvest crops on rented land and sell them at the agricultural and livestock direct sales store "Minorich Hokuryu."
The selection of the types of crops to be grown, the design of the field, the layout of the crops, etc. were entrusted to Mr. Norihiko Izumi (76 years old), a professional seed and seedling resident of Hokuryu Town. A soil diagnostic survey has also been carried out, and the pH value is good.
Cultivated items
Edamame, sweet potato, yacon, potato, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, etc.
Work such as plowing the fields, sowing seeds, planting, laying black and white mulch, and laying green mulch has been progressing sequentially since May.
Soil diagnosis results
Work scene
Field conditions on Monday, May 15th
May 25th (Thursday) Weeding
On Thursday, May 25th, the members gathered to weed the area. The members who participated that day were Moriaki Tanaka (85 years old), Isao Hoshiba (84 years old), Ryoji Kikura (83 years old), and Tomoko Sano (67 years old).
The work involves weeding the sweet corn fields. Using a hoe or other tool, the soil is stirred and tilled to remove pebbles and grass roots.
The work took just under two hours in the hot sun, with breaks in between.
May 30th (Tue) Pumpkin planting
On Tuesday, May 30th, pumpkins and yacon were planted.
Led by Mr. Izumi Norihiko, who was instructing on seedling management, four reliable women and Mr. Tanaka Moriaki also rushed in to help out. Everyone worked tirelessly in the cold weather with a light rain.
Evenly spaced hole marks on the plant
Pumpkin seedlings in paper pots
Paper pots protect the roots and are decomposed by microorganisms in the soil, so they can be planted as is.
Hand transplanter (commonly known as Pelican)
To plant, mark the mulch at equal spacing (50cm between pumpkin seedlings), make holes with a hand transplanter (commonly known as a pelican), drop the seedlings into the holes one by one, and cover with soil.
Pumpkin planting
Planting yacon
The yacon seedlings are planted by digging holes with a shovel, removing them from their plastic pots, and planting them.
In the future, agricultural work such as weeding and watering will be carried out while keeping an eye on the growth of the seedlings and the state of the weeds.
Senior agricultural professionals from Hokuryu Town gathered together to express their boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for the great cultivation of vibrant crops.
We sincerely hope for the healthy growth of crops in the future.
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◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)
