Ecodharma Study and Practice Group

[Onrin]

Mark, which prefecture do you live in? I would imagine there are facebook groups and other such resources for expats into farming. I've seen some in general expat groups mention farming and inaka living.
btw I am in Tsukuba, also farm country.
Gassho,
Chris

I plan to get very active with my farm this coming year, with hopes of purchasing some farm land in the future! Not too difficult here in the Japanese countryside. The prefecture I live in is a 9a growing zone. I also plan to start the back garden weather permitting. So if anyone has any advice/knowledge or interest in that do feel free to get in touch! I know very very little, but have a strong interest in learning more and putting that into practice. Hoping to create a sustainable lifestyle that is eco friendly.

I will likely join this to the best of my ability.

Gassho
Mark
ST

[Rousei]

Mark, which prefecture do you live in? I would imagine there are facebook groups and other such resources for expats into farming. I've seen some in general expat groups mention farming and inaka living.
btw I am in Tsukuba, also farm country.
Gassho,
Chris

I'm over in Ishikawa prefecture. I'm actually a part of several groups related to gardening, kominka life, permaculture and general farming! I also have a few friends around where I live who are practicing farmers to various degrees. However, the more advice I can receive and learn from the better. I think i'll start planting in the spring in the little farm I have and work on pulling out the roots of some trees in my garden so I can put some raised beds out back too. Busy times!

Gassho
Mark
ST

[gaurdianaq]

Hey everyone I'm back... I haven't sat much in a while since I got my new puppy but it's been on my mind again recently, and I saw the post on facebook... this book has been on my to read list for a while so I'd love to join for this!


Evan, satlah

[Tai Shi]

Welcome back Evan,
Gasho
sat/lah
Tai Shi

[Tai Shi]

Thank you kurisu. As a boy it was my great desire to farm the land. Instead I became a writer of poetry, and a teacher of writing.
Gasho
sat/lah
Tai Shi

[Tai Shi]

Thank you Mark for your commitment.
Gassho
sat/ lah

[Onrin]

It sounds like you have a good thing going, and good place to do it! We grow just a few veggies and berries but sure enjoy the harvests of local farms. Good luck with the upcoming season! Chris

I'm over in Ishikawa prefecture. I'm actually a part of several groups related to gardening, kominka life, permaculture and general farming! I also have a few friends around where I live who are practicing farmers to various degrees. However, the more advice I can receive and learn from the better. I think i'll start planting in the spring in the little farm I have and work on pulling out the roots of some trees in my garden so I can put some raised beds out back too. Busy times!

Gassho
Mark
ST

[Heiso]

I'm over in Ishikawa prefecture. I'm actually a part of several groups related to gardening, kominka life, permaculture and general farming! I also have a few friends around where I live who are practicing farmers to various degrees. However, the more advice I can receive and learn from the better. I think i'll start planting in the spring in the little farm I have and work on pulling out the roots of some trees in my garden so I can put some raised beds out back too. Busy times!

Gassho
Mark
ST

I'm into growing as much food as possible in our garden and allotment - I'm not sure if allotments are widespread or just a UK thing, it's basically a small plot of land. We try to incorporate some permaculture principles into our growing and intend to try and ramp things up a bit this year.

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

[Gregor]

The biggest step we can all take to support the environment and reduce the suffering of sentient beings is to stop eating animal products. Livestock and Dairy account for more fossil fuel use than transportation. 70 Billion land animals are inhumanity killed each year just for meat - fish not included.

If you adobt a low fat plant based diet you will see a great improvement in your own health as well. I have easily lost 60lbs myself since making the change this fall.

Don't wish to judge or be too preachy about this but feel its important to share as its likely our best shot at saving the planet, having healthier communities and reducing the suffering of sentient beings ( in keeping with our precept vows).

Looking forward to participating with this group.

Much love!

Gassho,


Gregor
STLAH



Sent from my SM-N981U using Tapatalk

[Doshin]

Gregor,

I know that livestock production uses a lot of fossil fuels but was not aware that it was greater than transportation . Would you be so kind to share a reference for that? I would like to learn more.

Thank you

Doshin
St

[Gregor]

Gregor,

I know that livestock production uses a lot of fossil fuels but was not aware that it was greater than transportation . Would you be so kind to share a reference for that? I would like to learn more.

Thank you

Doshin
St

Hello Doshin.

I did misspeak a little, should have said more greenhouse emmissions. However when you consider the amount of resources needed to produce the feed for livrstock you could make a case. . See third link.


Either way our exploitation of animals to consume their flesh is having serious and needless effects from health, environmental and the suffering of animals and humans.

Good chance the next Covid or worse comes from a bug spawned from animal agriculture. Not to mention the effect the widespread use of antibiotics on livestock is having creating resistant bacteria.

https://www.cdc.gov/narms/faq.html

https://news.un.org/en/story/2006/11/201222-rearing-cattle-produces-more-greenhouse-gases-driving-cars-un-report-warns

https://enpos.weebly.com/uploads/3/6/7/2/3672459/energy_consumption_in_animal_production.pdf

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2019/04/04/meat-and-agriculture-are-worse-for-the-climate-than-dirty-energy-steven-chu-says/

https://www.cowspiracy.com/facts

Sent from my SM-N981U using Tapatalk

[Rousei]

I'm into growing as much food as possible in our garden and allotment - I'm not sure if allotments are widespread or just a UK thing, it's basically a small plot of land. We try to incorporate some permaculture principles into our growing and intend to try and ramp things up a bit this year.

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

I'm from the UK myself Japan doesn't have allotments in the UK sense, however people farm in all sorts of strange small available spaces next to the road! I have a space like this next to the road around the corner to my house, I share with an older guy who is a professional farmer. So we plant together, which makes sure I don't make too many mistakes! The number of people who farm while typically older is huge here in Japan., I regularly return home to find fresh veggies sitting in my entranceway waiting for me! Alas people here really don't think outside the box in their farming practices, so things like permaculture aren't so common. That isn't to say it's non existent, I certainly know a few people foreign and native who grow all natural but I'm also in the groups where these people congregate. If I spoke to the average person about such topics they would be for the most part clueless.

Fingers crossed both of us can really hone in on farming practices this year, while we will both face our difficulties, they are partly what makes it fun!

Gassho
Mark
ST

[Heiso]

I'm from the UK myself Japan doesn't have allotments in the UK sense, however people farm in all sorts of strange small available spaces next to the road! I have a space like this next to the road around the corner to my house, I share with an older guy who is a professional farmer. So we plant together, which makes sure I don't make too many mistakes! The number of people who farm while typically older is huge here in Japan., I regularly return home to find fresh veggies sitting in my entranceway waiting for me! Alas people here really don't think outside the box in their farming practices, so things like permaculture aren't so common. That isn't to say it's non existent, I certainly know a few people foreign and native who grow all natural but I'm also in the groups where these people congregate. If I spoke to the average person about such topics they would be for the most part clueless.

Fingers crossed both of us can really hone in on farming practices this year, while we will both face our difficulties, they are partly what makes it fun!

Gassho
Mark
ST

I love the idea of growing in random bits of land. Kind of like guerilla gardening. I imagine that happened here at one point but probably died off. We have a plot with raised beds for fruit, veg and flowers, but are hoping to take on some more to the rear for a sort of wild flower/pollinator patch, fruit trees and a poly tunnel. We'll see how that gets on though!

You say people don't think outside the box in Japan but have you read the One Straw Revolution? I believe it's one of the founding texts of alternative food growing. Speaking of which, I started my first batch of mushrooms this morning, I'm hoping it will be the first of many.

I look forward to sharing the ups and downs of this growing season.

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

(and apologies for running long)

[Juki]

After a 14 day journey from New Jersey to Florida, David Loy arrived in my mailbox mere minutes ago. Not in human form, mind you, for given the size of my mailbox that would have been a feat of contortionism worthy of an ancient yogic master. The interesting thing (the irony if you will) is that a book on Ecodharma arrived shrink-wrapped in plastic. Mixed messages.

Gassho
Juki
sat today and lah

[Hōkan]

Looks like I'll miss part of the discussion; I've signed up for a residential mini practice period (only three weeks long) at Minnesota's Hokyoji. 24 January through 13 February. I will read carefully when I return and try to catch up.

Hokyoji (Catching the Moon Mountain Monastery, but it's not really a monastery so they don't call it that much any more) is quite lovely in summer. It's in the driftless region (missed by the last glaciers that went through) so there are certainly hills but it is a bit generous to call them mountains. I've never been there during the winter and am very much looking forward to visiting.

Sat