Pal System Gunma to Host Farming Experience Event at 'Minna no Hatake' in Isesaki, Challenging Participants to Plant Red Onions and Sweet Potatoes

The Consumers' Co-operative Pal System Gunma (Headquarters: Nakaorui-machi, Takasaki City; President: Makiko Ohira), as part of the Gunma Direct Production Council "Megurunma," will hold a farming experience event from 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 30, at "Minna no Hatake" (Everyone's Farm) in Sakai-Shimotakeshi, Isesaki City. This is the first event in a series where member families can connect with nature and experience the entire process from planting to harvesting. The farm is managed in cooperation with the Tonegawa Producer Group (Isesaki City, Representative: Masaru Kurabayashi), a member of the "Megurunma" council. 70 Member Families to Interact with Producers The event is the first session of the "Negi-Negi Course," which focuses on growing red onions. Aiming for a harvest in November, about 70 member families will plant red onion and sweet potato seedlings. In June, activities will include weeding and digging potatoes, and in November, harvesting red onions and tasting grilled onions and sweet potatoes are planned. By also experiencing farm maintenance, participants will learn the necessary steps in the food growing process, contributing to food education for children. ▲Planting red onions ▲Holding sweet potato seedlings (both from the May 2025 event) The event is an opportunity for members to interact with food producers, broadening their understanding and empathy for the production areas and products. They will experience the joy of growing vegetables along with the hardships of farming, and directly express their gratitude to the producers. "Minna no Hatake" is managed by the Tonegawa Producer Group to prepare for the year-round experience programs. Participants will visit the farm through these programs and continuously watch the vegetables grow. ▲Participants after weeding (June 2025) Minna no Hatake de Negi-Negi Farming Experience (1st Session) Overview ■Date: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM *Event will proceed in light rain, canceled in severe weather. ■Location: "Minna no Hatake" adjacent to Isesaki City Sakai Tsuyoshi Community Center (862-3 Sakai-Shimotakeshi, Isesaki City) *Parking available at the adjacent "Sakai General Sports Ground Parking" (846 Sakai-Kamitakeshi, Isesaki City) ■Participants: About 70 Pal System Gunma member families ■Content: Farm work such as planting red onions and sweet potatoes, and field maintenance. ■Future Schedule: 6/13 (Sat) & 6/20 (Sat) "Farm Maintenance Session": Weeding, harvesting potatoes, etc. 7/11 (Sat) "Mame-Mame Course" 2nd Session: Harvesting edamame and corn, etc. 11/7 (Sat) "Negi-Negi Course" 2nd Session: Harvesting red onions and sweet potatoes, tasting, etc. Pal System Gunma, together with the Gunma Direct Production Council "Megurunma," plans experience events throughout the year to provide farming opportunities that contribute to children's emotional growth. In addition to the "Negi-Negi Course," a "Mame-Mame Course" focusing on growing edamame is also held in parallel. Food Education Through Planting Edamame and Corn Seeds at "Minna no Hatake" in Isesaki City, April 25 (Sat) [Gunma] ▲Seed planting at the 1st session of the "Mame-Mame Course" (April 2026) Connecting Regional Agriculture and Rich Food Culture to the Next Generation The Gunma Direct Production Council "Megurunma" is a council jointly established by Pal System Gunma, three local producers ("Yasaikurabu" in Showa Village, "Kurabuchi Kusa no Kai" in Takasaki City, and "Tonegawa Producer Group" in Isesaki City), and the Pal System Cooperative Union. In 2026, which marked its 10th anniversary, three new organizations joined as full members. It carries out various activities to promote the appeal of Gunma, aiming for sustainable agricultural development, healthy lifestyles for consumers, and vibrant community building. ▲Members of the Tonegawa Producer Group Under the established "Megurunma 2035 Vision," they deepen mutual understanding through interaction between members and producers and the promotion of local production for local consumption. Pal System Gunma will continue to bring producers and consumers closer and promote sustainable food and agriculture. Consumers' Co-operative Pal System Gunma Location: 120-11 Nakaorui-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture; President: Makiko Ohira Capital: 1.12 billion yen, Members: 51,000, Total Business Turnover: 6.16 billion yen (as of March 2025) HP: https://www.palsystem-gunma.coop/ Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union Location: Lacus Higashi-Shinjuku, 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Haruyuki Shibusawa Total Business Turnover of 13 member co-ops and unified business system users: 260.42 billion yen / Total members: 1.762 million (as of March 2025) Member Co-ops: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, Pal System Kyosai Federation, Saitama Prefecture Workers' Co-op, AICOOP Miyagi HP: https://www.pal-system.co.jp/