Nabekko Party

This is not an official IWA Meeting – but extra!

Place : Kenko no mori　(Mr.Seitaro’s forest)　　　　
http://homepage2.nifty.com/611028/　
Date:　　2009 November12th（Thurs.）9:00～14:00
Schedule： 9:00 at Kenko no mori
9:00～10:30　Cooking(kiritanpo soup)
　　　　　　　 10:30～11：30　Forest walking
　　　　　　　　12：00～　Lunch time
　　　　　　　　13:00～　Book reading、Magic show
　　　　　　　　14:00　　Leaving
These times are NOT compulsory
Fee： Adults 500Yen each　 Children 100Yen each
＊Please bring drinks,dish,soup cup,chopsticks,spoon,fork
＊If you wish to join this party, please reply to Mrs Shoji by email by November 5th, and for further information etc.
　　naganegi@cna.ne.jp

6th Meeting at Goto San's family orchard farm

6th IWA Meeting held at Goto San’s family orchard farm on Friday 16 October 2009.Off the Route 13 past Kawabe I.C. left before Coco Cola Factory.

Attending: Ms. Ku/As/Ic/Tax2/G/Kub. A very rainy day but dried as the day progressed and we were able to see the orchard in between the rain showers.

A slight problem in setting off for delays but once sorted the day ran very smoothly.

Members are again reminded to be punctual for events as it is not fair for other members to be kept waiting. Thank you for your co-operation with this request. Please make sure you have the contact mobile numbers with you for the event.

Don’t forget that this farm was used for the location for the famous South Korean film star Lee Byonhen and film crew in May 2009. We were able to see the photos of this very memorable event.

Whilst at the orchard we learnt so much about APPLES and PEARS…I did not know that there were so many different bands of apples… Fuji/Sekaiichi/Shinano sweet/Ryouka/Kinsei/Ourin/Akita Gold, the most popular being Beniakari. The owner explained many things about the apples and we were able to sample many of the apples grown on site. The family has been running this orchard farm for over 60 years and planted the trees over this time. The youngest bearing fruit tree being 3 years old and the oldest about 55.

The family farmhouse, which is built in the traditional Japanese style, with both Japanese and Chinese landscaped gardens, is set in its own land covering an area of over 50 hectares. (1 hectare = 10,000 square metres. 1 hectare = 2,471 acres. 1 acre = 43,560 square feet, just to give you an idea!)

In order to achieve pollination over 20,000 natural bees are attracted by the scent of natural Lilies and the apple blossoms on the farm. These bees are not ‘employed’ but arrive naturally on the farm each year. Even if the temperature is low they will still pollinate.

During the course of one year the trees are sprayed with natural pesticides ten times to keep away unwanted bugs which may bore into the fruit and lay eggs and eat from the inside.

Chicken and cow natural fertilizer is used at the base of the tress in order to nourish the roots.

The owner has purposely grown the trees in a way that they are not very tall (almost Bonsai influence) which enables picking to be carried out quite easily. Foil sheeting is spread around at the base of each tree to increase the reflection of the sunlight up onto the hanging fruit.

Apple picking begins around September and finishes around 20 November. Then the boxing up takes place and the whole operation is usually finished by December 20.

1,100 boxes of apples are ordered to be sent all over Japan even as far as Okinawa and Kikaijima.

Rice, prunes, Ballard pears, blue berries, nashi and peaches are also grown during the year.
Regarding Ballard pears…when they are picked off the tree they are ‘put to rest’ for 20 days at normal room temperature. According to the type of fruit the ‘resting’ time differs.

Approximately 400 seasonal farm labourers are employed over the year to help with the running of the farm.

Members enjoyed a potluck lunch and talking together in the farmhouse on tatami with views of the beautiful gardens.

A gift was presented to the farm owner on behalf of IWA and we extended our thanks for a wonderful day out. IWA in Akita thanks Ms Goto for a very wonderful and memorable day and we would be privileged to be able to visit again. Thank you. JI

Apple Farm

Friday 16th October 2009.
IWA’s visit to Goto San’s family orchard farm, 10 minutes from Goshono.

Please bring your own drinks/cups/chopsticks/forks/spoons etc etc.
We are meeting even if it rains as we shall be inside the farmhouse. Do not worry
you will be comfortable!

You will enjoy this day. Fee for guests is 200Yen.

Please remember to bring your membership fee of 1,500Yen if you have not joined yet.

C U @ Mr Donunts, Aeon Shopping Mall, Goshono at 10 a.m.