Organically grown cabbage (Sato Organic)

Aiming for true coexistence between nature and humans

Mr. Sato continues to grow healthy organic vegetables in Oita Prefecture.

Using soil from fields cultivated over 30 years of organic farming and cultivation techniques and intuition passed down from previous generations, Sato Organic Farm produces healthy organic vegetables that can withstand insects and the environment. Sato Organic Farm is an organic farm that cultivates completely pesticide-free vegetables. Rather than a "people-centered" approach, where people grow vegetables, the farm thinks about things from the perspective of "vegetables (and nature)" rather than "people," where people create an environment in which the vegetables themselves can grow healthily. "Through our actual cultivation, we have proven that if vegetables are grown taking advantage of the right climate and soil, pesticides are not really necessary. By creating an environment where nature can unleash its natural powers, we grow delicious vegetables that everyone can eat with peace of mind."

He also trains young organic farmers, mainly his family members.

About organic vegetables

"At our farm, we grow seasonal vegetables without pesticides and using organic farming methods. We hope that this agricultural practice, where everything is recycled and prosperous, will continue to spread to the next generation. We take on the challenge of farming every day, hoping that the day will come when truly delicious vegetables will be a given on everyone's dinner tables."

Commitment to zero pesticides [We do not use any pesticides on the positive list.]

The positive list is a system in the Food Sanitation Act that sets standard values ​​for certain pesticides, and as long as they are within that range, they may be used. Sato Organic Farm does not use any pesticides, including those that are legal on the positive list.

Stepping Hotbed

A stepping hotbed is an old-fashioned farming method in which fallen leaves are stepped on, fermented, and the heat is used to grow summer vegetable seedlings. Sato Organic Farm aims to grow vegetables suited to the land. By using local organic matter (fallen leaves), we create a stepping hotbed and use the power of the land to grow pesticide-free vegetables.

 Why do vegetables grow well without pesticides?

If you grow vegetables suited to the land and create an environment for them based on natural cycles, they will grow well even without pesticides. If the vegetables themselves grow strong, they will be able to exert their natural resistance, making it difficult for pests to approach them. In addition to the above, Sato Organic Farm also uses solar disinfection and captures and kills pests by hand, promoting the cultivation of thoroughly pesticide-free vegetables.

Sato Organic Farm has been producing organic vegetables for 35 years without compromise

"My role is to ensure a sufficient yield of vegetables that people can eat with confidence, and to train young farmers who can grow those vegetables." Sato Farm accepts agricultural trainees who want to learn organic farming, teaching them everything from the basics, including how to make ridges and water the fields.

"How much work does it take to train a young person? It's often quicker if you do it yourself, but there's no point doing it that way." Sato, who is aware that it is his mission to train successful organic farmers, never takes his guidance lightly and always takes it seriously. "It's better to have problems than not have any problems at all. The fulfillment of thinking about various things and overcoming them one by one - that's what farming is all about," he tells young people who aspire to be organic farmers every day. His passion and way of life are also reflected in the taste of his vegetables.

"People are not moved by logic. Their hearts are only moved when they experience the real thing and think, "It's delicious!" My role is to create things that will make people say that, even if just a little."