| Principles |
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"Unlearn everything taught to you by
others, only Nature's teachings are worth keeping."
Let us connect with Nature through all our senses.
Nature teaches us to be aware of ourselves. We develop this awareness through
following our own inner-guidance.
We then experience directly the flow of Nature’s constant change, like water or
like a cloud. This is the natural farmer’s way.
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Vision
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The
Academy is an educational organization teaching today’s youngsters about the
wisdom of Nature and the practice of natural farming. It is creating a network
of centres supporting this sustainable way of farming and way of living
throughout the world, in particular: revival of agriculture that respects the
Earth, education for the younger generation, renewal of the environment.
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| 1
Revival of agriculture that respects the Earth |
Current
farming methods of agriculture are exhausting the Earth. There is no
sustainable future for the over-use of chemicals, over-transportation of food
and the dramatic loss of bio-diversity. It has become urgent that we change our
agricultural methods.
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| 2
Education for the younger generation |
It
is difficult for young people to lead a fulfilling life today. They grow up in
a world which is soulless, materialistic and in which nothing is more important
than economic growth and a superficial prosperity.
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| 3
Improving the natural environment |
The
environmental crisis of Global Warming and the breakdown of ecosystems are
deeply linked to modern agriculture. With this in mind we decided to establish
The Academy for Agricultural Philosophy to revive the practice of natural
farming. It aims to re-connect students with nature as their guide, to provide
a practical place of education, a fulfilling daily life-style and at the same
time will create a forum where inspired teachers and like-minded people can
meet.
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| Educational
Content: |
The
Academy's curriculum includes natural methods of producing, packaging and
storing foods as well as drawing on works of ancient wisdom such as:
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Eki-kyo (a form of feng shui
divination that interprets geographic features)
Shi-kyo (a school of poetry that is inspired directly by nature)
Sho-kyo (philosophy concerned with harmonious human relationships)
Fudo (the study of rational relationships between humans and nature)
Feng Shui (the study of empathetic placement)
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| Studies
also cover: |
Construction
using natural materials
Self-Sufficiency and the development of Local Economies
Garden Design,
Global Food Systems and Dynamics
Nutrition, Naturopathy, Oriental and Complementary Healthcare
The Origins and Philosophy of Farming
Natural Farming Methods: Crop Rotation, Encouraging Diversity
Proper Care of Implements
The Farming calendar |
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| Unique
Feature |
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The students are able to live and work in a variety of
environments: Hokkaido(Japan),
Scotland(U.K.)
and The Democratic Republic of Congo (Africa).
After Graduation, students may live and work permanently in as they will each receive the use of a piece of land
Sponsorship and grants will be available for some
places, while other students' course fees will partly be covered by their
harvested produce.
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| Course
Requirements |
| Students
should have a University degree or similar qualification. In other cases
entrance will depend on the Academy's own examination and evaluation of a
student's CV. |
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More about Natural Farming's aims and studies
Respect for plants.
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We
aim to re-awaken a respect for plants, a respect sadly lacking in the modern
world. We study their extraordinary processes of transformation of Earth
materials and Sun's energy and their selfless provision for all life on Earth.
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| Plant
communication |
Plants
communicate amongst themselves in many different ways. Natural Farming relies
on patient observation of this system to continue to learn further secrets of
plant life.
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| Sensitivity
and Gratitude |
By
studying and working with plants we can regain a harmony with them and a true
appreciation of their endless gifts to us
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| Studying what plants truly need |
| By
carefully observing plants, their real requirements will be discovered and can
then be met. This connection has been lost through treating plants as economic
factory units. Soil has become impoverished, growth is forced with fertilisers.
This situation is not sustainable and is potentially disastrous for human
health. We encourage respect for a plant's own time-scale, its own
growth-pattern, its own pest-resistance, immunity and its own reproductive
system. Once we humans have developed understanding and humility in our hearts
we can go on to apply all modern science and artistic techniques in a
harmonious way. |
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| Encouraging
plants' own natural environments |
Vast
fields of a single crop are a far cry from the way in which plants occur
naturally. Again, to respect their lives and for future harmonious relations
with plants we will continue to study and mimic the natural ways of plant
groupings, companionships and surroundings.
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| Current
Developments, "Like water, like clouds." |
The
Academy of Agricultural Philosophy has begun as a private institution yet aims to become a post-graduate
university within three years so that a world-wide foundation of such academies
can be developed.
Work has already begun at the BifukaAcademy in Hokkaido and the farm in Fukui Japan, as well as projects in Scotland and The Democratic
Republic of Congo. Work is also underway to provide accommodation and dining
facilities in Korea, the United Kingdom (London) and France (Paris, Nice). The Academy of Agricultural Philosophy will develop globally,
across borders, for the benefit of mankind; becoming a school for learning the
ways to live in harmony with nature.
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Academy
for Agricultural Philosophy Farming Retreats
Natural Farming Work Experience & Long Stay Programmes
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The
Bifuka Academy and Farm - Hokkaido, Japan
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Is located
in the middle of northern Hokkaido, amongst a vast forest
that grows under the protection of snow. In a place that allows deep relaxation
one learns to farm, and is inspired to reconnect with oneself, one’s heart,
mind and senses. The fields are a ten minute walk into the forest from the
centre. A log house building programme is currently underway. Skiing, hiking
and wild food are also available according to the seasons - the dramatic
changing of which is perhaps the greatest joy.
237-2 Aza-Penkei, Bifuka-cho, Nakagawa-gun Hokkaido. 098-2207
Phone:01656-2-4555 Japanese web-site:http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp-noutetsu/
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| The
Fukui Farm |
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Our farm is located in the prefecture of Fukui which
lies along the beautiful Echizen coast. Our Natural Farming technique has been
developed on this farm for many years: in the greenhouses, the terraced rice
paddies and vegetable patches hidden amongst the forest, and in a mountain hut
from which one can look out over the coastline. In a remote, deserted village
in the mountains we have begun to rebuild an abandoned, traditional house.
There’s always plenty to do with whatever help we receive. In autumn it’s the
miracle of the grape harvest, whilst in summer we can enjoy sunbathing on the
beach.
33-2-1 Mendori-cho, Fukui-shi, Fukui-ken, 910-3378
Phone:0776-86-1240
Japanese web-site:http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/noutetsufukui/
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