備後府中人 BINGO FUCHU PEOPLE

2019.12.28

『ハート農園 青田さん』東京からUターンした夫婦が育てる鮮度抜群で美麗な青ネギ

東京からUターンした夫婦が育てる鮮度抜群で美麗な青ネギ

広大なビニールハウス一面に広がる、鮮やかなグリーン。美しい光景の正体は、水耕栽培で育てられている青ネギだ。府中市諸毛町にある『ハート農園』は、現役バンドマンであり、穏やかな人柄の裏に熱き職人魂を秘めた青田直輝さんと、気風が良く、太陽のように明るい笑顔の晴未さん夫妻が営む農園。青ネギを年間通して栽培しているほか、クレソンやバジルなど季節のハーブも育てている。
10年前に東京から故郷の諸毛町へUターンし、晴未さんの祖母から畑を引き継いだ青田さん夫妻。まったくの農業初心者だった二人がいくつもの困難を乗り越えながら育ててきた作物は、現在では地元の道の駅やスーパーで販売されるだけでなく、学校給食にも使用されている。特に鮮度と品質にこだわり、厳しい検品を経て出荷された青ネギは、どれも根元から先端まで瑞々しいハリに満ちたものばかり。シャキシャキと小気味よい食感や清々しい香りも、新鮮さを物語っている。

開園当初から現在まで立ち止まることなく前進中

屋内栽培とはいえ、作物の生育は外の気候状況に大きく影響される。そのため、外気や天候に合わせてハウス内の室温や水温、水質を24時間体制で調整・管理することが必要だ。「近年は異常気象も多いから、過去のデータがなかなか通用しない。毎年やり方を変えて、ベストな栽培環境づくりを模索しているよ」と直輝さん。また、一日の寒暖差が激しい諸毛町での栽培に適したネギの品種を探すのにも、長い年月を要したという。晴未さんは「10年かけてようやく納得いくものが見つかった。けれど、そこで終わりじゃない。今でも新しい品種を栽培しながら研究を重ねているの」と話す。そんな二人に今後の展望を尋ねると、「ネギやハーブの加工品の開発もしたいし、他の野菜も生産してみたい。農業を通して諸毛町をPRしていけたら」と野心を語ってくれた。常に立ち止まることなくチャレンジを続ける青田さん夫妻の、今後の取り組みから目が離せない。

場所について

TEL:0847-49-0103

広島県府中市諸毛町1041-1

The farm establied by Mr. and Mrs. Aota who moved to Moroke Town Fuchu City which is his hometown. They are hydroponically cultivating green onions and seasonal herbs in a vinyl house. The crops, which two beginners who were agricultural beginners have struggled from zero, are now being sold at local road stations and supermarkets, and are also used for school meals.

The green onion raised by a couple who moved from Tokyo is pretty fresh and beautiful.

“Brilliant green which spreads to vast vinyl house” It is a green onion cultivated by hydroponics. Heart farm is the farm run by Naoteru Aota “active bandman” who is a gentle personality and has a strong craftsman’s soul, and Harumi Aota who have great smile like the sun. In addition to cultivating green onions all year round, they also grow seasonal herbs such as watercress and basil. They moved from Tokyo to Moroke Town in 10 years ago and took over the fields from their grandmother. The crops, which two beginners who were agricultural beginners have struggled from zero, are now being sold at local road stations and supermarkets, and are also used for school meals. Especially sticking to freshness and quality, all green onion shipped after severe inspections are those full of freshness from the root to the tip. A good texture and refreshing fragrance also tells of freshness.

It has evolved from the opening of the park without stopping until the present

Even with indoor cultivation, the growth of crops is greatly affected by outside climate conditions.Therefore, it is necessary to adjust and manage the room temperature, water temperature and water quality in the house in accordance with the outside air and the weather 24 hours a day. “In recent years, there are also many abnormal weather, past data is not quite useful. Every year I change the way and I am searching for the best cultivation environment” said Naoki-san. It also said that it took a long time to find varieties of green onion suitable for cultivation in Moroke Town where the temperature difference of the day was intense. “I finally found something to convince over 10 years. But it does not end there. I still carry on research while cultivating new varieties” said Harumi-san. “We also want to develop the product of processed onions and herbs and want to produce other vegetables. I wish I could PR the town through agriculture” they said. We look forward to the future efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Aota who continues to challenge without stopping at all times.

TEL:0847-49-0103

1041-1 Moroke-cho Fuchu-shi Hiroshima Pref