Human beings exist as part of nature. Food is essential for us to live and to make use of who we are. This program offers an opportunity to place ourselves within that environment, experience and feel our connection with nature and with food—meaning agriculture—and from there, to reflect and take action toward the future.

Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture, where this program takes place, is located around the centre of the Japanese archipelago. It is a mountain town, with forests covering approximately 90% of its total area.

Although surrounded by magnificent nature, the town faces a declining birthrate and an ageing population. Labour shortages in agriculture and forestry have also become chronic as those working in these industries grow older.

As farmland and forests that cannot be properly maintained continue to increase, they can sometimes contribute to natural disasters. The challenges facing Kiso Town are also the challenges facing rural communities across Japan today.

Through hands-on farming experiences, participants encounter the natural environment, experience how local people live, and talk with town officials and residents. When local issues begin to feel personal, both people and the town can begin to move toward the future they hope for—one in which harmony and cycles function as they should. This program provides that opportunity.

The hands-on farming experience has received official support from Kiso Town, which is working to increase the number of people connected to the area and address local challenges. A subsidy scheme has also been introduced for participating university students, helping to cover expenses such as transportation. With this support, we hope to welcome not only more university students, but also parents and children, and families.