Because the certainty is here, to inherit.Passionate thoughts hidden inside moves.

Turtles Farm
Miho AIHARA

Miho was born to a traditional farming family that has continued for more than 10 generations since the Edo period. While studying at an agricultural university in Hokkaido and working part-time in farm, she became interested in the distribution of crops when she learned that most of the agricultural products produced in Hokkaido are shipped to Honshu (out of Hokkaido). It means there's not consumed in Hokkaido. After graduation, she worked in the greengrocer's department within the Sendai wholesale trade market. The Tohoku earthquake disaster triggered her desire to help young people and farmers who had a very difficult time, so she rented an abandoned field and have been running an open-air vegetable farm since 2015.

Miho:” Sendai is unique because consumption and production areas are very close to each other. We produce corn in summer and broccoli in winter to provide fresh condition. Since this area was hit by the tsunami, sand has been piled up to clear the foundation, so we even utilize corn residue to increase the land's potential.”

With ingenuity and inspiration.
Challenges from trial and error for sustainable agriculture.Helmet not worn due to photographic direction.

She grows corn and broccoli in 50a area out of 1ha crop area. The fields are divided into seven locations and planted/raised at different times of the year to enable long-term supply. Miho’s fresh corns picked morning is so popular that many repeat customers get back, and it sells out in no time! A sugar content of this corn is over 18 degrees and over 400 grams per corn. Of course, it took numerous trials and errors to achieve stable production of this corn.

Miho:” I went to talk to Nileworks three years ago because I thought it would be good if I could spray reliably and evenly from above the corn when controlling oriental corn borer(Awanomeiga). When spraying with a set sprayer, I got myself covered all over with pesticides when spraying tall corn. Also, the equipment was heavy so my arms sometimes didn't work while I was working, and I could not spray evenly to whole corn. Furthermore, in the case of handy-set spraying, we had to pair up with someone else to spray, that was difficult to coordinate our schedules. Nile-JZ Plus is light weight enough for a woman, like me, to carry in a light van by alone, and most importantly, this drone creates an automatic flight path, so it's very easy to use. Plus, it is very comfortable mentally to be able to easily pest control at the time you want to do it alone, without feeling self-conscious.”

Connecting wishes.
Carry on the memory of the next generation.

At the time of this interview, a carpet of green was spreading over the rice field where the seedlings were growing, and next to it, wheat was about to be harvested, was shining golden in the sun. The corn fluttered in the wind, and the sound of the leaves rubbing against each other was comforting. It was surprised to such a majestic agricultural area spread out in near distance, only 20 minutes by car from Sendai Station. The closeness of commercial areas and agricultural areas is also a unique feature of Sendai and it’s important for the freshness of vegetables.

Miho:” When I was a little girl, I played going to catch crayfish and see frogs while feeling the four seasons. I wish to leave such an original landscape in Sendai, and agriculture is one of way to do so. Agriculture is deeply related to local festivals and culture, and I would like to carry on these kinds of traditions in Sendai to the next generation. I hope that the community will be enriched through agriculture and food.”

Nurturing the next generation starts with dialogue.

Even during the busy season, she accepts agricultural training for agricultural professional students twice a week. Balancing farming and teaching are not an easy task, but she focuses on expressing in verbal and communicative ways what they feel and notice through farm works.

Miho:” I truly enjoy seeing the students so energetic and feel a certain accomplishment when I know that they feel my mind as " Because the certainty is here, to inherit." If someone doesn't work together, agriculture don't remain for the next generation, and not lead to new things. I hope that young people will come back to Sendai who dedicate to farm work, and I would be happy if they could inherit even one of things I want to pass on to them.” 

From Sendai, to the future.

Even though we can review our relationship with the land and nature and think about the future of our community, but it is very difficult to take actual action. Miho continues to design not only agricultural works but also people's lifestyles. Hope her way in expanding the scope of agriculture, nurturing the next generation, will continue to attract people of all ages and preferences.