Case Studies
How Senior Farmers Won Japan’s Top Organic Awards
Fukushima, Japan
Overview
In the Oishi district of Ryozen Town, Date City, Fukushima Prefecture, the agricultural community "Oishi 3 Chan Club" is primarily composed of senior citizens dedicated to cultivating safe and delicious vegetables using EM Technology.
Their efforts were recognized at the 2025 Organic Ecofesta, where they received multiple awards for the high nutritional value and quality of their produce.
Their efforts were recognized at the 2025 Organic Ecofesta, where they received multiple awards for the high nutritional value and quality of their produce.
EM Application and Actions
- Soil Enrichment: The club emphasized soil health by using AEM (Activated EM・1) and EM Bokashi to cultivate their vegetables.
- Educational Initiatives: Workshops for soil improvement are held monthly to distribute AEM and share knowledge among members, enhancing the overall quality of agriculture in the area.
- Farm Establishment: In 2024, they reclaimed 0.3 hectares of previously unused land to establish "Oishi 8 Chan Farm," creating a space for agricultural experiences and exchange across generations.
- Educational Initiatives: Workshops for soil improvement are held monthly to distribute AEM and share knowledge among members, enhancing the overall quality of agriculture in the area.
- Farm Establishment: In 2024, they reclaimed 0.3 hectares of previously unused land to establish "Oishi 8 Chan Farm," creating a space for agricultural experiences and exchange across generations.
Effects and Results
Award-Winning Produce:
At the 14th "Organic Eco Festa Agricultural Products Contest" in 2025, the Oishi 3 Chan Club’s EM-grown vegetables received top honors:
・Japanese Mustard Spinach (Komatsuna) and Broccoli: Grand Prize
・Spinach: Excellence Award
These awards were based on evaluations of sugar content, antioxidant capacity, vitamin C levels, and nitrate ion concentration.
Nutritional Improvements:
The awarded vegetables showed remarkable enhancements:
At the 14th "Organic Eco Festa Agricultural Products Contest" in 2025, the Oishi 3 Chan Club’s EM-grown vegetables received top honors:
・Japanese Mustard Spinach (Komatsuna) and Broccoli: Grand Prize
・Spinach: Excellence Award
These awards were based on evaluations of sugar content, antioxidant capacity, vitamin C levels, and nitrate ion concentration.
Nutritional Improvements:
The awarded vegetables showed remarkable enhancements:
Japanese Mustard Spinach (Ando Farm)
Cultivation Features:
- No pesticides or chemical fertilizers used.
- Weeds cut in summer were left as ground cover; seeds sown without plowing.
- Applied EM fertilizer; foliar spray of diluted AEM, wood vinegar solution, and EM5.
Contest Results:
- Antioxidant capacity: 2.8x higher than average
- Sugar content: 1.7x higher
- Nitrate ion concentration: approx. 10% of average
- Flavor: Crispy, sweet with spicy accents, rich and delicious
Cultivation Features:
- No pesticides or chemical fertilizers used.
- Weeds cut in summer were left as ground cover; seeds sown without plowing.
- Applied EM fertilizer; foliar spray of diluted AEM, wood vinegar solution, and EM5.
Contest Results:
- Antioxidant capacity: 2.8x higher than average
- Sugar content: 1.7x higher
- Nitrate ion concentration: approx. 10% of average
- Flavor: Crispy, sweet with spicy accents, rich and delicious
Broccoli (Takano Farm)
Cultivation Features:
- No pesticides or chemical fertilizers used.
- No-till method with cut weeds as mulch; supplemented with EM or homemade EM Bokashi fertilizer.
- Foliar spraying with diluted AEM.
Contest Results:
- Antioxidant capacity: 5.2x higher
- Sugar content: 1.3x higher
- Vitamin C: 1.2x higher
- Flavor: Soft texture, sweet and flavorful
Cultivation Features:
- No pesticides or chemical fertilizers used.
- No-till method with cut weeds as mulch; supplemented with EM or homemade EM Bokashi fertilizer.
- Foliar spraying with diluted AEM.
Contest Results:
- Antioxidant capacity: 5.2x higher
- Sugar content: 1.3x higher
- Vitamin C: 1.2x higher
- Flavor: Soft texture, sweet and flavorful
Spinach (Takano Farm)
Cultivation Features:
- No pesticides or chemical fertilizers used.
- Summer weeds plowed into soil and decomposed before sowing.
Contest Results:
- Antioxidant capacity: 2.3x higher
- Sugar content: 1.6x higher
- Vitamin C: 1.6x higher
- Nitrate ion concentration: approx. 40% lower
- Flavor: Firm sweetness and rich taste
Cultivation Features:
- No pesticides or chemical fertilizers used.
- Summer weeds plowed into soil and decomposed before sowing.
Contest Results:
- Antioxidant capacity: 2.3x higher
- Sugar content: 1.6x higher
- Vitamin C: 1.6x higher
- Nitrate ion concentration: approx. 40% lower
- Flavor: Firm sweetness and rich taste
Community Engagement:
The "Oishi 8-Chan Farm" actively encourages hands-on farming experiences and brings together people of all ages in the community.
EM Cultivation Seal:
Since July 2024, produce grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides using EM Technology has been labeled with the EM Grown Seal. Currently, eight producers hold this certification, assuring consumers of both safety and quality.
Online Presence:
They launched a YouTube channel to share their activities and promote sustainable farming practices.
The "Oishi 8-Chan Farm" actively encourages hands-on farming experiences and brings together people of all ages in the community.
EM Cultivation Seal:
Since July 2024, produce grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides using EM Technology has been labeled with the EM Grown Seal. Currently, eight producers hold this certification, assuring consumers of both safety and quality.
Online Presence:
They launched a YouTube channel to share their activities and promote sustainable farming practices.
(April 2025)
