Towards a Convivial Future
Traveling to the fields by ox cart and cooking meals together at noon—
This was once an ordinary way of life here on the Atsumi Peninsula, a life of working in harmony with nature and living within the bonds of the local community, up until about sixty years ago.
However, with the opening of the Toyokawa Irrigation System, this region transitioned to large-scale production reliant on pesticides and chemical fertilizers, leading to the gradual disappearance of the traditional farming lifestyle.
How do I want to live? How should I engage with society?
After much contemplation, I chose to be the one person in this region to uphold a system of cyclical farming, free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
People around me often called me eccentric.
Marriage in my thirties led me to integrate my farming practices even more deeply into daily life.
For me, organic farming is not just about production; it also involves distribution and human connections, all interwoven in an organic way.
With this belief and a desire to explore new possibilities in agriculture, I established the Atsumi Doronko Mura, a hands-on agricultural experience facility.
Together with visiting students, I was able to realize my long-cherished dream of offering Farm Stay. Since then, our farm, where people live by growing and eating their own food, has welcomed over 10,000 visitors—elementary, middle, and high school students, university students, working adults, and families alike.
They grow vegetables, feed pigs, and become part of the cycle of life.
They come to understand that they are supported by others and reflect on their own way of living.
More than just an agricultural experience, it has become an educational space—one where participants continuously examine their own awareness and make conscious choices about their actions.
Not only have we witnessed the growth of the children who participate, but also the transformation of interns and university students working alongside us. This is one of the unique aspects of our farm stay program.
In 2020, Atsumi Doronko Mura took a new step forward by becoming a limited liability company.
Through a lifestyle of growing and eating, we strive to help individuals reflect on themselves and contribute to fostering the next generation, who will take on the responsibility of creating a sustainable society.
Through agriculture, we aim for a convivial future.
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Our Philosophy
Concept
We strive to create a future of coexistence—a sustainable society—through agriculture.
Although agriculture is often perceived as being in harmony with nature, it actually began with environmental destruction.
Moreover, all living beings survive by taking the lives of others.
Without confronting this reality, a truly cyclical and equitable society cannot be achieved.
Vision
We learn from nature and the cycle of life, nurturing within each individual the awareness needed to build a future of coexistence—a sustainable society.
We are committed to forming a community of people who practice a "one-planet lifestyle"—a way of living in harmony with others and within our means—and to creating systems that expand and sustain this way of life as a platform.
Mission
We aim to increase the number of people who hold the awareness and values necessary to build a society of coexistence.
We will foster more individuals who not only embrace these values but also put them into practice.
We are committed to expanding the agricultural community, including farmers, those pursuing a semi-farming lifestyle, agricultural trainees, and interns.
Sales Value
"Learning through experience and reflection, utilizing rural resources."
"A mindset aimed at living a 'one-planet lifestyle'."
Core concept -"One-Planet Lifestyle"
To understand facts from the perspective of 'time, space, and energy,'
and consider the Earth's 4.6 billion years of history."
To live within the cycle of growing and eating, sustaining life.
We express the idea of increasing objectivity in how we perceive things
through the phrase "time, space, and energy."
Instead of only focusing on the present moment, we broaden our perspective to consider the scale of 4.6 billion years of Earth's history.
Rather than just thinking of ourselves, we expand our spatial awareness to include the lives of all beings on Earth.
By understanding the energy that sustains the circulation of resources and life, we realize that we are not living alone but are part of a web of relationships with many other things.
When we adopt the perspective of "time, space, and energy," our vision broadens, allowing us to view our thoughts objectively, deepening our knowledge.
What lies ahead is a way of living that considers our existence in the context of the entire Earth, a "one-planet lifestyle."
Since the birth of Earth 4.6 billion years ago, time, space, and energy have always existed. Humans have gained knowledge and deepened their thinking by becoming aware of these concepts. However, in modern society, we have become so focused on convenience and efficiency that we can only see the time, space, and energy directly in front of us.
Living with awareness of time, space, and energy, and reflecting on it, will help us recognize our place in the continuous cycle of life that has existed since 4.6 billion years ago.
"One-planet living" born from growing and eating is our core value.
エネルギーの絵本
History
1997
Atsumi Doronko Mura was founded by five farmers.
The actual operations have been carried out by Ogasawara Farm, managed by one of the five members, Hiroshi Watanabe (Ogasawara) and Chimie Ogasawara.
In addition to producing organic vegetables, the farm has started Farm Stay, hands-on experience programs, farmer's restaurant, and confectionery production.
1999
the Summer Vacation Children's Farm Stay, an overnight farming experience, was launched with the cooperation of visiting university students.
Since then, it has been held annually, except for the three years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2001
Started the "Rice Field School" for local children.
2006
Established the NPO "Huckleberry Jam."
2011
In collaboration with the NPO "Huckleberry Jam," established the "Rice Field and Farm School" for elementary school students.
Since then, it has been held annually, except for the three years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019
Earned the Organic JAS, the Japan’s organic certification that ensures agricultural products meet strict organic standards.
2019
Founded the Atsumi Doronko Mura LLC.
2023
Received approval for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' Agricultural, Mountain, and Fishing Village Innovation Project, and created educational materials.
Message
Our fundamental belief is in the life of growing and eating.
Within that life, we aim to feel the connection of life and nurture our own consciousness.
We hope that children who experience the "growing and eating life experience" and feel the connection of life will return to their daily lives and, as they grow, reflect on "how to coexist with other forms of life." We want them to search for answers and develop the ability to observe their own consciousness.
This is also about each individual nurturing their own awareness. If more and more children grow up to "choose their own lives," we believe that the world will gradually change for the better.
The "one-planet lifestyle" is something that I believe will be realized as we each become aware of our connection to life and change.
At Atsumi Doronko Mura,
Hiroshi Ogasawara, Chimie Watanabe
