2013 Satoyama Rice Harvesting and Sowing Event Registration Now Open

This year's first rice crop has had some odd weather... (Is climate change to blame?) When the seedlings were transplanted in early March, the weather was unusually warm, and the seedlings quickly turned emerald green and full of life, but the long-delayed spring rain concealed a water shortage crisis. Fortunately, "Satoyama Juku" had already completed the pipeline for diverting stream water for irrigation. However, by the end of March, the temperature turned completely cold, and even April brought a cold wave. Even in early May there was still a slight chill, so the rice looked as if it did not want to grow at all. Fortunately, the spring rain and plum rain fell one after another, quenching the thirst and enriching the soil, and at that point the weather instantly turned hot, urging the rice to "grow hard and fast."

Faced with the disordered growth of the rice, the partners at "Satoyama Juku" did not dare decide too quickly when it could be harvested. It was not until early June that they finally waited for the harvest signal given by the rice - "full heading" - and fortunately it was only 1~2 weeks later than in previous years, so they hurriedly set the activity dates and invited everyone to come to Satoyama to cut rice and, while at it, plant the seedlings for the next crop!