Soil –it is what makes us who we are. Cultivating good soil leads to nurturing a healthy body. This article introduces a practice at a farm in Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture, regarding the interconnectedness and cycles on Earth.

Soil is the living universe. -Lady Eve Balfour
E. B. Balfour, a pioneer in the British organic farming movement, once said, “Soil is the living universe.” Just as humans cannot understand the entire universe, it is difficult for us to fully comprehend what is going on underground. The composting work allows us to connect to the magnificent universe within the soil. The organic matter we call ‘food waste’ tends to be deemed ‘smelly and dirty’ in our daily lives. However, in fact, it is a source of energy that sustains us. Just like humans, the microorganisms in the soil universe consume them as nutrients, ferment them, and create organic soil that allows plants to grow, providing many forms of joy to humans.
As philosopher F. Brugère wrote in Ethics of Care, “Developing practices showing interest in and considering for others leads to thinking about living together, and ways to create a community”, interest and consideration in voiceless plants and soil microorganisms, and actions based on them, can create a large circle of connections that leads to ‘care’ starting from the soil connecting all life on Earth.