News

2025.04.12.

Last week, the ARI community came together for an important seasonal activity – potato sowing! This marked a significant milestone for the newly arrived participants, as it was their first time working in ARI’s fields. Everyone took part in preparing the soil and planting the seeds that will grow into a bountiful harvest in July. Despite the chilly weather, the participants embraced the experience with enthusiasm. With guidance from ARI staff, they worked together efficiently, working together with energy and dedication. The sense of shared effort created a joyful and … Read more

On April 4, my first trip as Managing Director, I was invited to speak at the new semester staff orientation and staff training at Ai-No-Gakuen Agricultural High School in Iga, Mie Prefecture. https://ainogakuen.ed.jp/ Ai-No Gakuen High School is the smallest Christian agricultural high school in Japan (25 students per grade), a boarding school that started as a private school right after WWII. Upon entering the open grounds with no gates or walls, you find a wooden school building, cafeteria, library, staff housing, and a row of fields and livestock barns … Read more

Today, April 1st, marks the beginning of the 2025 academic year at the Asian Rural Institute. The campus is once again full of life as we welcome 28 new Participants to the Rural Leaders Training Program and 2 Training Assistants. Over the next nine months, they will live and learn together, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, servant leadership, community building and more. This year also brings a leadership transition. After 10 years of dedicated service as Director, Tomoko Arakawa is stepping back. She will continue supporting ARI in a … Read more

The air is warming, the trees are beginning to bud, and the land is stirring with new life. After the long winter, spring is finally making its way to ARI. The gentle shift in seasons reminds us of the deep connection we share with the soil, the food we grow, and the communities we nurture – principles that are at the heart of ARI’s mission. Our animals certainly feel the change. The goats, who spent much of the winter indoors, now happily roam outside, basking in the sunshine and nibbling … Read more

“Director’s Report” A big surprise party carefully planned for me last night surprised me a lot!! I was incredibly delighted and moved! As I will finish my 10-year term as Director of ARI at the end of this month, and also to celebrate my birthday, ARI family members, and those who have helped me gather together without my knowledge! They celebrated with my favorite Korean food (Bibimbap + ARI pork BBQ + birthday Wakame seaweed soup), lots of sweets (all homemade in the Koinonia kitchen), and bouquets. (In fact, a … Read more