ARI’s 50th anniversary is just 20 days away. Collaboration Project @CAFE KLASSE ESPRESSO~Touch it, try it~”The Story of Rice” hands-on workshop!

We are continually looking for organizations that are interested in collaborating with us to plan local, national, and international events. Individuals and organizations interested in leadership, self-sufficiency through organic agriculture, and support for developing countries are encouraged to contact us!

Various collaborative projects are underway to commemorate ARI’s 50th anniversary!

We are pleased to announce our new collaborative project with a local cafe, Klasse Espresso. Klasse Espresso is a beautifully renovated storehouse next to Tokotoko, a community development facility in Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Today, on Tuesday, August 29, from 11:00 a.m., the rice workshop will be held. We hope that you can feel the connection between the food we eat and global issues while interacting with rice. Adults and children alike who love good food will gather at Cafe Klasse Espresso!

Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
place: CAFE KLASSE ESPRESSO / 1-2-14 Chuo, Otawara-shi, Tochigi 324-0056

How many grains of rice can be obtained from a single rice plant?

Let’s learn more about rice – Japan’s staple food! Although it is often not taught at school, you can learn about how rice is produced and how much time and effort goes into its cultivation, all through hands-on workshops!

On Saturday, September 16, the anniversary will be celebrated and graduates from 62 countries will gather via online live streaming. We hope you will join us for both the collaborative projects and the anniversary event!

Men's Dormitory & Guest House

Participants and volunteers live in separate dormitories for men and women. The dormitory includes shared lounges, kitchens, showers, and laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is not available.

Poultry House

The poultry facilities include free-range chicken coops and a brooding house. More than 400 chickens are raised, producing over 80,000 eggs and approximately one ton of chicken meat each year.

Pig Pen

Participants learn a variety of pig farming techniques through hands-on practice. Both deep-litter and concrete-floor systems are used, and manure is recycled into biogas and fertilizer.

Goat House

Goat milk (over 200 liters annually) and meat are used for food, while manure is used as fertilizer. During the day, the goats roam freely in the pasture.

Forest

The forests surrounding the campus are managed through selective thinning for firewood and charcoal production. Leaves and other organic materials are collected for use in agriculture.

Fields

On 2.5 hectares of farmland, approximately 100 varieties of vegetables and crops are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The entire community helps manage the fields as part of its commitment to learning and self-sufficiency.

Rice Paddies

Rice is cultivated in paddies both on and off campus. Various organic rice-growing methods are studied and practiced, including weed control and fertilization using ducks.

Workshop

The workshop is a space for repair and recycling activities. It contains machinery, welding equipment, woodworking tools, and a variety of materials.

Feed Mixing Room

Livestock feed is produced here using both manual and mechanical methods. Continuous efforts are made to improve feed quality and sustainability.

Administration Building

The first floor houses the reception area and administrative offices, while the second floor contains staff offices and the Director’s office. The Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room) is located adjacent to the building.

ARI Shop

The shop offers ARI-grown produce, processed foods, books, and handicrafts from the home countries of ARI graduates.

Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room)

The facility serves as the hub of agricultural activities at ARI. It includes classrooms, storage for tools and farming materials, and facilities for drying and storing crops.

Oikos Chapel

Originally a 100-year-old traditional farmhouse, the chapel has been renovated into a place of worship. Daily morning gatherings are held here, along with meditation, dialogue sessions, gospel choir practice, and other community activities. Oikos is a Greek word meaning “home.”

Manna House (Food Processing Room)

This facility is used for producing and storing processed foods such as cookies and jam. The ground floor also contains a poultry processing facility.

Fish Ponds

Fish are raised for both food and agricultural purposes.

クリスマス・ウィンターキャンペーン 2025
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