A Christian’s second career as a farmer
In April 2016, after 41 years teaching at a private school for children with intellectual disabilities, Tsutomu Matsui, a member of Yokohama Uenomachi Church, relocated to Ueda, Nagano Prefecture to farm his father-in-law’s land full-time.
Tsutomu’s original plan had been to take up farming after he retired, but this was delayed when Japan’s retirement age was raised from 60 to 65. Then his father-in-law passed away. His sister-in-law’s husband inherited the farm, but subsequently suffered a stroke which left him unable to continue working the land. Tsutomu could not bear to see the farm abandoned. For the last three years of his teaching career he commuted over three hours from Yokohama to Ueda on weekends to tend the fields—growing rice and vegetables. Eventually, he retired one year early and moved to the farm.
During his first year as a full-time farmer, Tsutomu followed his father-in-law’s traditional farming practices. But then, in January 2017, he came across the Ueda Organic Farming Association (Ueda Yūki Rakunōkai). From them he learned how to farm without chemicals or fertilizers. Initially he grew rice using soil microorganisms that he had purchased, and today he produces his own farmyard compost.
Tsutomu notes the importance of the symbiotic relationship between plants and microbes. “The principle of natural farming is to control microbes with microbes,” he says. “When there are good microorganisms present, they suppress the growth of harmful ones. In natural farming we don’t regard weeds, earthworms, or microbes as enemies. I farm with the help of the natural order that God has created.”
Working alongside the Ueda Organic Farming Association, Tsutomu’s objectives are to:
- Produce vegetables full of natural energy.
- Support communities where people can enjoy optimal health and longevity.
- Develop villages that are abundant in every aspect of life.
- Revitalize the local mountains and woodlands.
- Invigorate agricultural fields through organic farming.
- Share the fruits of his labor fairly among everyone involved.
The benefits of organic farming were clear to Tsutomu even from his first year of harvest. The produce tasted better, and he harvested more rice than he had expected. After switching to natural fertilizers, his cabbage patch was no longer plagued with caterpillars.
Early in November 2017, two couples from two Tokyo churches visited Tsutomu’s farm: Pastor Mitsuru Ōi and his wife, Yurie, of Itabashi Church, and Pastor Toshio Miura and his wife, Naoko, of Tsurukawadai Church. They were considering buying vegetables and rice directly from the farm, seeking to provide their church members with safe, quality produce. They spoke with Tsutomu and sampled some of his wares.
As a former educator, Tsutomu also hopes to serve young people in urban areas, providing them with opportunities to experience nature and try their hand at farming.
From Christian Shimbun, January 7 and 14, 2018 (combined issue)
Translated by Atsuko Tateishi