Event Report
01/21/2026
At Lively, we are creating experiential learning spaces where people can discover how food is interconnected with nature and people through regenerative agriculture. While seeking partners who share this vision and can collaborate with us, we met Hiroki Inoue of “Niko Niko Farm” in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, in December 2024. Niko Niko Farm champions the concept of a “universal farm where everyone can participate with dignity.”
Deeply resonating with his philosophy and practice, we co-hosted the “Regenerative Agriculture: Seed Planting Experience Program” with Niko Niko Farm on Sunday, October 19, 2025. A total of 22 participants, ranging from adults to children, joined us that day. Post-event surveys revealed warm feedback, with every participant rating their experience as “satisfied” or higher. This column shares the story of that program day.
Rainy weather persisted leading up to the day, but on the day of the event, the rain stopped. It was a refreshing morning with light streaming through the air, now moist and refreshing. We set up the main venue for dialogue and meals in the shade of the large tree, a symbol of Niko Niko Farm.
A key focus for this program was minimizing environmental impact as much as possible. We minimized plastic use, laid newspaper instead of plastic sheets, and used tatami mats as seating. Setup was done by hand.
Nakamura-san, involved in managing Niko Niko Farm, boldly proposed, “Let’s make our own lunch dishes too!” Thus, bamboo dish-making was incorporated into the program. Participants arriving a little early spontaneously joined the circle of crafting.
The task of carefully separating each clove from the boxes full of garlic to prepare seeds for planting. The work of cutting bamboo with saws and sanding it to make cups, bowls, and chopsticks. Even before the event began, a quiet sense of unity emerged, transcending the roles of organizers and participants, as if everyone had already started moving as one community.
The event began with an orientation. First, Lively staff Kajitani and Numajiri shared the vision behind this program, followed by a greeting from Inoue-san. Afterwards, all participants headed out to the field.
The first experience was sowing garlic and Hinona Kabu turnip seeds, which grow through the winter. Following Inoue-san’s gentle guidance: “Be mindful of the direction the sprouts will emerge” and “If the hole drops straight down, that’s a mole’s path,” we moved our hands slowly, one hole at a time.
The no-till field, preserved by avoiding tilling, had surprisingly soft and richly colored soil, holding abundant nutrients. After cutting the grass covering the cover crops and digging slightly into the soil, we saw insects active underground and roots spread out in layers, truly showcasing that soil is home to a diverse ecosystem.
Lightly pressing the seeds into the soil with a “tap-tap” motion, the sensation through our fingertips became a moment to confirm our connection with the earth.
Additionally, scattered throughout the grounds are various activities: large barrels where homemade soy sauce rests, and beekeeping, which began this year. Participants and organizers alike worked together to cut bamboo, carefully sanding it smooth to create bamboo cups. Pouring in specially made herbal tea, we sipped and savored it while discovering, one by one, how various elements within the farm interact with each other.
Lunch featured freshly cooked seasonal rice, miso soup, vegetables, and a homemade dish generously using sun-dried umeboshi. True to Niko Niko Farm’s vision of a “Universal Farm,” a warm atmosphere where everyone, regardless of age or status, had a role enriched the experience from preparation to mealtime.
“After taking a bite, close your eyes and feel how your body is made from what you eat.” With these words from Ishii-san, who helps run the farm, we all said “Itadakimasu” in unison.
We savored our meal using handmade bamboo tableware. After eating, the tableware became fuel, and leftover rice became chicken feed. Doing everything together, from preparation to cleanup, naturally made us feel that we are part of the cycle.
After lunch, we headed back to the fields. The afternoon task was sowing Shogoin daikon radish seeds. Placing each tiny seed, small enough to rest on a fingertip, into individual holes at precise locations was meticulous handwork.
Participants carefully dug holes, mindful of the spacing they had been taught, and gently covered the seeds with loose soil. To finish, they lightly pressed down with their palms, making a soft squeeze sound, ensuring the seeds made good contact with the soil.
Glancing around, we saw heartwarming scenes: “How many more do we have left?” “I have about this many,” as participants peered into their bowls, showing each other the few remaining seeds while continuing their work. As we planted each seed, the softness and scent of the soil, the moist sensation transmitted through our palms, became even more vivid than earlier in the morning.
Participants shared insights to take back into their daily lives, such as, “Touching the soil helped center my mind,” and “The quiet time spent polishing bamboo and the casual conversations exchanged changed my perspective on everyday things.” Receiving so many positive responses was a tremendous encouragement to us.
At the same time, some participants mentioned, “We would have liked more time to learn about regenerative agriculture in greater detail.” While this session focused primarily on firsthand experiences, we feel that connecting this experience to deeper understanding and conviction is our next step.
For us at Lively, this program began to create a space where participants could experience “food, nature, and human connection” not just intellectually, but through their bodies.
Touching the soil, sowing seeds, nurturing them through the seasons, and harvesting vegetables. Cooking and sharing meals with others. Each of these actions is built upon rich soil and the accumulated time it takes for seeds to grow.
We hope that this experience, created together with everyone at Niko Niko Farm and our participants, becomes a “seed of awareness” for someone, prompting them to pause and reflect on their daily life and actions. And we wish that these small changes become steps leading to a better future.
Our next event, the “Kikuimo Digging Experience Program,” is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2026. We look forward to seeing you all again.
Chiho Kajitani, Mayuka Numajiri, Tomomi Miura / Lively Team