The 1st workshop of My Regenerative Journey 2024 was held in Naganuma Town. From overseas regenerative agriculture infomation to mindset

The first year of the educational program to learn about regenerative agriculture, "My Regenerative Journey," began on January 16, 2024. The first of a year-long in-person and online course led by Raymond and Akiko, practitioners of regenerative agriculture that incorporates cover crops, no-till farming, and sheep grazing at Menno Village Naganuma, began in Naganuma Town.

In addition to the 19 members of the first year, we will be learning for a year together with five farmers who tried cover crops in Okhotsk last year under Raymond's guidance.

At the first workshop in Naganuma Town (@Bookshelf Cafe Azarashi to Shirokuma), Associate Professor Kobayashi Kuniyuki, who is researching regelative agriculture and regional economics at Hokkaido University Graduate School, spoke on the theme of "Introduction to Regelative Agriculture." We were able to learn more about the current state of regelative agriculture in the United States, where he visited last year, and this greatly expanded our vision of the future of regenerative agriculture in Japan, which we are aiming for. Thank you, Professor Kobayashi.

Raymond and Akiko then taught us the basics of regenerative agriculture, including the mindset and 5Ms in practice, as well as principles. Regenerative agriculture is not a "farming method" but a "mindset." It is knowledge and practice that all farmers should know for the sake of the soil. We carefully verified each point.

By increasing diversity through cover crops, disturbing the soil as little as possible, and covering the soil with plants rather than leaving it bare, carbon produced by photosynthesis is sent to the roots through the plants' bodies, and liquid carbon seeps out from the tips of the roots. The mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria waiting there receive the liquid carbon and in return supply nitrogen to the roots. In addition to nitrogen, they separate the fixed phosphate and also send minerals and water. By regenerating the network in the soil in this way, soil that does not depend on chemical fertilizers is created. The job of farmers is to support this soil creation. After three or four years, a carbon and nitrogen cycle in the soil is established, and the soil will then nurture the plants.

Based on the reactions of the participants, it was very stimulating. One felt the value of the course after just two days, the participants were as diverse as cover crops (laughs), and another one wanted to have sheep in his field. They seemed to feel a lot of stimulation, learning, mindset, and the joy of learning together with new friends.

Thank you to all the members who gathered in person and those who participated online, despite the snowfall from the previous day. It was a journey that gave us the mindset to make better choices for the soil, regardless of the farming method, whether conventional or organic. Let's make this a journey where we can share many discoveries!

From the next time, We will be online for a while. We would like to learn more about mixed cover crops and prepare for spring.