The ARI Training Program

Our nine month training program starts in April of each year and follows one complete agricultural cycle in Japan. The focus of the program is on building practical leadership skills that can be applied in rural communities. We believe that the most effective way of learning is "learning by doing" which we practice in all areas of the training program. Both, on campus and off campus participants gain knowledge and practical experience in areas, such as:

  • Integrated organic farming
  • Animal husbandry
  • Appropriate technology
  • Fish culture
  • Food processing
  • Cooperatives and credit unions
  • Rural leadership
  • Community organizing
  • Gender Issues
  • Spiritual reflection

 

It has been the experience of ARI, demonstrated through the actions of our graduates over the past 35+ years, that one of the most valuable aspects of ARI training is the sense personal development and empowerment. Each of our graduates leaves this campus with inspiration and motivation to carry out their promise to return to their home communities to apply all they have learned for the good of their people.

Training Philosophy

 

At the core of the Rural Leaders Training Program is the concept of Enrichment of Foodlife. Encompassing more than just producing food to alleviate hunger, Enrichment of Foodlife emphasizes the value of producing and sharing healthy food in a manner sustainable to the environment and to the community, through the cooperative efforts of the community. It stresses the importance of making the best use of locally available resources and it leads toward the development of vibrant self-reliant rural communities and villages. Through the efforts of the whole community, ARI produces most of the food we eat.

Supporting the core of our curriculum are the three pillars of ARI training:

Personal Growth – ARI as a place for meaningful self-reflection through exposure to new insights and experiences, leading to a deeper understanding of what it means to serve as leaders for the people.

 

Enrichment of Rural Life – ARI as a place that puts value in the soil – the farmers and rural communities that work the soil – and finding dignity and satisfaction in producing food by our own hands.

 

Community Based Approach – ARI as a place where we can learn through sharing – sharing of food and sharing of life.

 

“The aim of our training program is for Participants to discover for themselves a more desirable image of a human community and to gain the practical technical skills for achieving it together.

” Rev. Dr. Takami – founder of ARI

The ARI Curriculum

 

The practical application of the ARI curriculum (constituting about 1,800 hours of training) can roughly be divided into three categories –

  • Hands on training
  • Off campus observation trips
  • Classroom lectures

English is the language of instruction and is used for communication throughout the community. Each year the curriculum is revised according to our experience and to the evaluation of participants and graduates, in order to meet the emerging needs of our participants, within our resources.

 

Hands on Training – Learning by Doing

 

Perhaps the greatest strength of the ARI program is its practical orientation – learning by doing.

“When you learn by doing you get the skill right inside you.”

Peter Chandi, 1990 ARI graduate - Kenya

 

Field Management Activity (FMA) – Participants are divided into groups, which are each given the responsibility of managing ARI fields as well as one section of livestock (pigs and cattle, poultry, or fish) together with the support of volunteers and staff. Leadership is rotated among group members. Additionally these groups plan and prepare meals for the community once a week. Through this hands-on planning and working, participants gain the practical experience and confidence in many areas of rural development.

 

The FMA system was set up to give Participants ample opportunities for practical application of ARI training in the following areas:

  • Integrated organic agricultural techniques – Working actively in both livestock and in the fields gives participants an understanding of the symbiotic relationships that are fundamental in integrated farming.
  • Planning and management of the farm – Participant groups create and implement their own plans for managing the crop and vegetable fields and for rearing the livestock, working together with guidance from the staff.
  • Leadership – A rotating leadership system ensures that each member is given the opportunity to serve as group leader for an extended period. At the end of each term a ‘leader’s reflection’ discussion is held together with the staff.
  • Utilization of local resources – Learning to identify and use resources available locally is an important part of self-sustainability. Effective use of local resources is one of the cornerstones of the training program.
  • Group dynamics and participatory decision making – ARI’s multicultural composition provides an exceptionally challenging and valuable training opportunity in terms community organizing, inclusive decision making, and leadership within diversity.
  • Sharing indigenous knowledge – As ARI Participants are also terrific resource people, the FMA system provides many opportunities for them to share their extraordinary knowledge and experiences.

Practical Field Study (PFS) – PFS classes are set up to give both theoretical and hands-on knowledge of organic farming, animal rearing, and food processing techniques. These include lessons in ‘appropriate technology,’ methods and systems that are appropriate to their local situations, rather than high tech, large scale farming, and making use of ‘locally available resources.

 

Practical Leadership Training – Leadership training centers on teaching the principles of ‘servant leadership.’ A leader is one who takes action to serve the people and work on the same level with their people. We believe that leaders are called to live as an example and inspiration to empower people. All participants have a chance to take a role as a leader, providing both guidance and direction to the ARI community. In addition, we create an environment where leaders and all community members are encouraged to experiment and learn from their mistakes as well as successes.

 

Participatory Learning Approach and Action (PLA) – Through PLA we encourage all members of the community to participate in the planning, decision-making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities. This approach helps community members understand the issues in the community, take these issues as their own, and utilize ‘problems’ that arise as opportunities to learn and strengthen the community. PLA seeks to empower the most marginalized – women, minorities, the poor, weak and vulnerable – by putting the last first.

 

Community Work - This is a time when all members of the community; participants, volunteers, staff, and even the director, come together for the purpose of working toward a single goal for the benefit of ARI. It is a celebration of community and what can be accomplished in the spirit of cooperation.

 

Off-Campus Observation Trips

 

About one quarter of ARI’s training takes place off campus exploiting Japan’s vibrant network of small-scale organic farmers and agricultural institutions as well as its vast social welfare system. It gives Participants a chance to journey through Japan and witness life in a ‘developed country’ allowing them the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of development; its convenience, efficiency, and social services, as well as its sacrifices; pollution, overwork, loss of community and family, and isolation. In addition to several one day field trips two major study tours are carried out each year.

Rural Community Study Tour -- The Rural Community Study Tour is a two-week field trip through Yamagata Prefecture in Northern Japan, in which Participants meet and interact with pioneer organic farmers and learn various types of agricultural projects and efforts both public and private. Participants are inspired by the passion and philosophies of these farmers and many begin to find a certain pride and respect for the profession they did not have before.

 

Western Japan Study Tour -- The Western Japan Study Tour focuses mostly on urban issues and social welfare. Through visits to various social institutions, such as schools for the disabled and programs for the homeless, participants learn how Japan deals with various social issues. Included in the tour is a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and a stop at the city of Minamata, where they learn about the tragic effects industrial pollution.

Classroom Lectures

 

ARI makes great effort to ensure that our lectures remain relevant to the ever-changing circumstances our participants live and work in. In addition to our own training staff, we invite a number of guest lectures in order to diversify the lecture agenda as well as give a wider range of viewpoints. Lectures are given in English.

 

ARI Daily Schedule

 

6:30 – 6:35 Morning Exercise – A time to bring the community together to start the day

 

6:35 – 7:00 Cleaning Chores – A time to take care of our campus and our facilities

 

7:00 – 8:00 Morning Foodlife Work – In order to provide for ourselves, the whole community engages in daily farm chores and meal preparation. ‘Foodlife’ is a term coined by founder Rev. Dr. Takami to show the interconnectedness of food and life. Through these daily activities we learn together by working together to produce food.

 

8:15 – 9:10 Breakfast and Break

The heart of ARI can be seen as we gather together at the table for meals. Each and every meal is a meaningful expression of our labors and our community.

 

9:10 – 9:40 Morning Gathering – This daily devotional time allows for each person in ARI to reflect and share our life experiences and also provides a place for the whole community to exchange information. The leader for each morning gathering rotates so that everyone gets a chance to speak.

 

10:00 – 12:20 Morning Activities – Participants take part in the scheduled curriculum program, including classroom sessions, lectures and outside study opportunities. Staff, volunteers and visitors carry out their duties in their sections, such working on the farm, in the office, perparing meals, and much more.

 

12:30 – 1:50 Lunch and Break

As each person has their turn to take part in the cooking, we enjoy an international variety of dishes that are made with local ingredients.

 

2:00 – 4:20 Afternoon Activities

Training sessions as well as the daily work of ARI is continued.

 

5:00 – 6:00 Evening Foodlife Work

By hard work and constant effort, we sustainably produce healthy food.

 

6:30 – 7:30 Supper

The last gathering of the day, we sit together and share our evening meal.

 

Evening Free Time

This is a time for relaxing, singing, talking, computing, sleeping, etc. Occasionally evening events or activities are planned.

Japanese