Save the farmhouse, turn it into a healing center

In Brief

We urgently need funds to put a temporary cover on the roof to protect the farmhouse. We also need funds to make the next door barn livable and to buy basic farming kit ( grass cutters, spades, electric fences for the wild boar, seeds, fruit trees etc) and some tents so that we and volunteers can stay at the farm and work to regenerate the land for future use  ( farming, off grid living, retreat, etc). We need the funds as soon as possible to stop deterioration of the farmhouse and start work on the land.

Who

Who will benefit? 
1. The planet, by turning the land and buildings into a permaculture farm and teaching center. Those who come and work to build a community around the farm.

2. Local and non local people.  We will also to use the space as a center for yoga, meditation and other healing practices.

Why

We’ve been searching for the right piece of land to share with others and that might be suitable for use as a healing center. A place for retreats and for those in the city to experience the healing power of nature. From the very first visit we knew this was the place. We have secured use of the land from the owners. 

The land is very overgrown and the fields covered in bamboo, tall grasses and rutted from the digging of wild boar. There are 2 dwellings, a barn which is partly refurbished ( needs basic kitchen, water pipes, electric, hot water, compost toilets) for very basic living, and the beautiful but damaged kominka or traditional Japanese farmhouse. The farmhouse lost part of its roof 18 months ago and has been stripped to salvage useable items. However the post and beam ( whole tree trunks!) structure is still in good condition, being mostly protected from water incursion. However it will not last much longer. A full new roof will cost upwards of 50000 USD and unless we get an angel donor will have to wait for the future. 

We urgently need funds to put a temporary cover on the roof to protect the structure and keep it dry. We also need the funds to make the barn livable and to purchase basic farming kit ( grass cutters, spades, electric fences for the wild boar, seeds, fruit trees etc) and some tents so that we and volunteers can stay at the farm and work to regenerate the land for future use as a retreat and teaching ( farming, off grid living, etc).

History

This land has been used for over 100 years. We don’t know how old the house is yet but these houses are typically over 100 years old. The land, perhaps about 1 hectare of terraces fields, has not been farmed actively for perhaps  2 decades. The house and barn were partly renovated 15 years ago but sadly the roof which was in urgent need of replacement was left as is.  That family left in 2011 after the tsunami and the property was then taken on 5 years ago by a friend, they sadly had to leave after the typhoon of late 2019 blew part of the farmhouse roof off. 

Location

The house and land is located about 10 km inland from a beautiful small tourist and fishing town on the Boso peninsula across Tokyo Bay from Tokyo, Japan. The area is peaceful with many old farmhouses and old farmland still remaining.

Goal

To restore the old farmhouse to its old glory and turn it into a meeting/teaching space. To reuse the land for permaculture farming and to create a food forest, to preserve some of the older Japanese farming methods and to then be able to teach others these skills. To use and promote no dig farming methods. To work as much as possible in balance with the land.

To have others live on the land. To create a space for retreats related to the healing arts, yoga, meditation, and to leverage nature as part of the process. To open the space for those from the cities who cannot get into nature often.

We cannot express our gratitude to all those contributing,  we cannot rescue the house and land without some outside help, however we will make sure you are all not forgotten and plan a permanent plaque  on the site to honor all those donating.