West Faithful Acres

Neighborhood Associations in the United States and Japan — How Are They Different? Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing well. Here in my area, we’ve been experiencing very cold weather with heavy snowfall. How is the weather where you live? This time, I’d like to talk about resident-led community organizations that have a long history and are closely connected to agriculture and everyday life. Neighborhood Associations in the United States In the United States, community organizations similar to what we call jichikai or neighborhood associations in Japan do exist. However, they are not organizations that all residents are expected to join. Most neighborhood associations in the U.S. are based on voluntary participation . People who are interested in improving their neighborhood choose to get involved. One community organization I am familiar with is a Neighborhood Association in New York. These organizations deal with issues such as garbage management, traffic conditions, ped...

Mountains and Fields Awaiting the Snowmelt — From an Early Morning Train Window Why I’m Growing Adzuki Beans This Year This year I’m challenging myself with growing adzuki beans — and preparations are already underway. Why did I choose adzuki beans for my home gardening project ? There are three main reasons: I absolutely love them — adzuki beans are one of my favorite crops. They can be used in seasonal recipes and variations all year long, from spring salads to fall desserts. They’re easy to preserve and store , making them perfect for long-term use and pantry staples. Of course, I’ll also be growing other vegetables and fruits, but adzuki beans are special . Simply handing someone fresh beans isn’t always convenient since it takes time and effort to prepare them. That’s where I come in: I’ll turn these beans into delicious, crowd-pleasing foods. I’m excited to share this journey with you — from planting adzuki beans , to harvesting, preserving, and creating reci...

Small farm sustainable agriculture Continuing a small farm requires seeds, tools, and ongoing preparation. To help cover some of those basic costs, I recently began exploring a few online initiatives alongside my agricultural work. The primary purpose is simple: to support the purchase of seeds and materials needed for sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices. I aim to grow vegetables and fruits without the use of chemical pesticides and, as I have done before, share the harvest freely whenever possible. Within the United States, this often takes the form of direct distribution. If regulations allow in the future, I would also like to offer small processed items internationally, such as homemade jams or simple postcards featuring scenes from the farm. Building a Sustainable Small Farm Over Time In order to maintain this kind of small farm over the long term, practical and sustainable systems are necessary. One option is to make careful use of online platforms and...

Winter Snowstorm Seen From Indoors When people check a weather forecast snow storm , most are thinking about road conditions, flight delays, or school closures. Snow accumulation and timing tend to dominate attention. However, even when travel plans are canceled and people stay home, winter storms and extreme cold can quietly disrupt daily life indoors in ways that are often overlooked. The real challenge is not always the snow itself, but how prolonged cold affects ordinary routines inside the home. How Extreme Cold Impacts Daily Life at Home During extended periods of severe winter weather, indoor environments change in subtle but important ways. Heating systems work harder, some rooms remain colder than others, and daily activities require more physical effort than usual. Unlike short cold snaps, prolonged cold waves can create uneven temperatures throughout a home. Living rooms may feel comfortable, while hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms become noticeably colder—espe...

This article contains Amazon affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. Arrival of Snow Clouds How Cold Waves and Winter Storms Impact Daily Life Cold waves and winter storms affect daily life in similar ways across the world, but the impact varies depending on where you live. In both Japan and the United States, heavy snow can quickly disrupt transportation, isolate communities, and turn ordinary commutes into risky situations. Having lived and traveled through both urban and rural areas, I’ve learned that preparation matters more than location. The difference lies in how people move—and what happens when that movement stops. Urban vs. Rural Winter Storm Impacts Public Transportation in Major Cities In large cities such as Tokyo, New York, or Chicago, many people rely on public transportation. Trains, subways, and commuter rail systems connect city centers with surrounding residential areas. Whe...

— Honoring Civil Rights Across Turtle Island — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed across the United States, but its meaning reaches beyond a single community. On Turtle Island —a term many Native American nations use to refer to North America—this day invites reflection on shared struggles for dignity, learning, and fairness. While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is most closely associated with the Civil Rights Movement, his message continues to resonate within Indian Country and other communities seeking understanding and respect. Learn the Full History of Civil Rights in America Understanding civil rights means recognizing interconnected histories across the United States. On MLK Day, learning about these experiences through education and historical study helps build a more complete and thoughtful perspective. Reflect on Justice Beyond One Community Dr. King spoke about justice as a shared responsibility. This idea aligns with many Native teachings that emphasize balan...

The Farming Off-Season Is Not a Break What Farmers Do During the Off-Season When people outside agriculture think about the off-season, they often imagine a pause — a time when farmers finally stop working. In reality, the farming off-season is not an absence of work, but a shift in focus. Once the harvest is finished and the fields fall quiet, farming moves away from visible labor and toward preparation, maintenance, and decision-making. This period is where many of the most important choices of the year are made. Across different regions and climates, the off-season in agriculture shares common characteristics. Daily fieldwork slows down, but responsibility does not. Equipment, land, and plans for the next growing season all demand attention. For many farmers, this is the only time of year when there is enough mental space to step back and evaluate what actually happened during the season. Maintenance and Repair Define the Off-Season One of the most consistent off-season f...