What another wonderful look into farming in Japan. I would also say living in Japan.
One thing I have noticed since I came to Japan is Japanense are getting taller. I used to stand on the trains and be taller than about 90% of the people, now it's closer to 50%. Do you notice if the younger generations are getting taller in the countryside?
I wish you all the success in your endeavors. You've clearly earned it. I also hope one day we can share a beer and perhaps some of your crops! Cheers!
Yeah definitely: the farmer's father was probably about 5 foot tall, if that, his son about six inches taller and the full-time member of staff about another inch taller again. Working somewhere traditional like a farm can make that complicated: most things -- hoophouses, farm tools, car seats etc. -- are still made for the people the size of the older generation. I guess the younger generation don't think about it too much but as a foreigner you can feel cramped all the time. That's one more reason why it's so nice to be outdoors in the open air so much.