Masuhisa Ueno (Ueno Farm)

Producer: Ueno Masuhisa Production area: Kumamoto Prefecture, Kikuyo Town, Ozu Town, Matsuo Town, Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City Main products: Rice, carrots, onions, Chinese cabbage, mizuna, yamaimo, chives, bok choy, zucchini, potatoes, burdock, etc. Use of pesticides: None Use of fertilizers: None

"I discovered agriculture and it really caught my interest."

Ueno says that his encounter with Purely "made him completely addicted to farming."

"When I found out about Purely and natural farming, I instinctively knew that this was what I wanted to do. Now I'm farming in order to practice natural farming." He speaks with a laugh, but there is a firm determination that is unlikely to waver.
"However, at first, I didn't know anything about natural farming, so I just copied what I saw. But it didn't work at all. Almost all of the crops were destroyed."

He jokes about it now, but it must have been quite a shock to him at the time.

He took that failure in a positive light, and after that he began to actively participate in lectures organized by Purely and training sessions organized by the National Natural Farming Extension Association.
"Now, through this failure, I have learned the importance of 'soil preparation.'" These words taught me that even the painful past is connected to the present.

"The results of soil preparation"

The results of Ueno's soil-making efforts are evident in the soil itself and in the crops, and he says he feels joy in this.

"Little by little, I'm starting to feel it. As with any crop, I can feel it from the tilled soil after the harvest. There's something you can feel when you touch it." From Ueno's words, I was reminded that natural farming is not just about what you can see with your eyes, but also about the wonders that can be felt with all five senses.

Ueno grows a wide variety of crops. When asked what prompted him to do this, he said, "I started natural farming with almost no agricultural experience, so I didn't know what I could do. I think it will become clearer what suits the soil here. But for now, I think it's because I'm working with the possibility that anything is possible."Ueno's desire to produce good crops is what led him to grow a wide variety of crops.

"ambition"

It was impressive to see how he started natural farming with no prior farming experience, how he never gave up and was determined to do it next year, and how he challenged himself to grow a variety of crops - always believing in the possibilities.
That belief leads to the future of natural farming and is Ueno's ambition.
"I'm sure that from now on, more and more farmers will start to adopt natural farming methods. In fact, all of our farming will be natural. Absolutely."

Nowadays, the number of producers engaging in natural farming is increasing year by year, but seeing Ueno believe so strongly in the potential of natural farming and speak so confidently made me feel like I had been reaffirmed in my own feelings.

"One day, I would like to create an environment where young people gather around me and natural farming spreads rapidly, just like the seniors I now look up to as my mentors. By doing so, we will be able to reach even more consumers. And I'm sure the world will become a better place." These confident words made us feel that the future development of natural farming was certain.

Ueno is not just "producing good crops," but also has a broad perspective on the world of the future, so please look forward to his future success.

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