Polymath Symbiotic Farm

Polymath Symbiotic Farm is an experimental attempt to grow ecosystems rather than single crops. Based on the concept of augmented ecosystems, we combine hundreds to thousands of plant species in dense, mixed plantings. Following the principles of no tillage, no fertilizer, and no pesticides, and bringing in nothing but seeds and seedlings, we are field-testing a method that uses ecological optimization to achieve plant growth full of vitality.

What Is Polymath Symbiotic Farm?

Polymath Symbiotic Farm is not a monoculture farm that grows a single crop, but a Synecoculture farm that nurtures biodiversity in a way that expands the ecosystem. By helping to strengthen planet Earth’s biosphere of plants, animals, and microorganisms, we aim to prevent the extinction of diverse living things and to pass on to the future the stable climate and comfortable living environment that rich ecosystems provide.

Features of Polymath Symbiotic Farm

Fully adopts the methodology of augmented ecosystems
Emphasizes the ecological optimum of an ecosystem made up of diverse organisms, rather than the physiological optimum of a single crop
Operated as the hands-on natural science environment for Polymath School’s Elementary program
- Examples: ecological research on plants and animals; planetary science research such as elemental cycles (the water cycle, the rock cycle, and atmospheric circulation); biotechnology research; terraforming technology research; and more
Supplies organic ingredients to Polymath Kitchen
Researches food production techniques for cold regions (various locations in Iwate Prefecture) and builds up knowledge step by step
In the future, plans to expand into livestock farming and fisheries in collaboration with Polymath School’s Secondary program

Examples of Species We Grow

Here are examples from Polymath Symbiotic Farm’s first and second years. When combining plants, we distinguish species by family and genus, classify them by type (annuals, perennials, climbing plants, deciduous shrubs, deciduous trees), and plant them densely in mixed plantings centered on trees. Wild native plants also mix in naturally.

Fruit trees: various apples, peach, Japanese plum, various grapes, Japanese pear, jujube, silverberry (gumi), blueberry, raspberry, juneberry, fig, loquat, wild raspberry (kiichigo), hazelnut, almond, chestnut, blackcurrant, redcurrant
Tall trees: sawtooth oak, Japanese maple
Shrubs: Japanese angelica tree (taranoki), Western hybrid rhododendron, Miyama Kirishima azalea
Fruiting herbaceous plants: watermelon, melon, strawberry, cucumber, squash, bottle gourd, okra, tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, chili pepper, shishito pepper, bitter melon (goya), loofah
Grains: foxtail millet, Japanese barnyard millet, proso millet, amaranth, barley, wheat, soybean, adzuki bean, cowpea, rice, pea, fava bean, common bean, corn
Root crops: onion, Welsh onion, garlic, potato, sweet potato, daikon radish, turnip, carrot, burdock, Jerusalem artichoke, ginger, myoga ginger, wasabi, beet, Japanese wild yam (jinenjo), Chinese yam (nagaimo)
Leafy plants: garland chrysanthemum (shungiku), cabbage, lettuce, perilla (egoma), bok choy, broccoli, komatsuna, napa cabbage, asparagus, spinach, Malabar spinach, santosai, garlic chives, watercress, Chinese celery, mustard greens, okahijiki (land seaweed), asatsuki chives, ashitaba
Flowers: sunflower, pyrethrum, lavender, marigold, pot marigold (kinsenka), salvia, globe amaranth, Livingstone daisy, kochia, cosmos, celosia, calendula, tulip, nemophila, carnation, baby’s breath
Herbs and spices: chamomile, rosemary, thyme, mint, oregano, basil, lemon balm, cumin, arugula, lemon balm, Russian tarragon, wild strawberry, mugwort (yomogi), rue, mitsuba, shiso, sage, chervil, Italian parsley, dill, cherry sage, salad burnet, fennel, celery, artichoke, cilantro (coriander), sansho pepper, marjoram, basilico nano, chives, Alpine leek (gyoja ninniku), St. John’s wort, stevia, orange balm
Mosses: broom moss (kamojigoke)
Green manures: hairy vetch, sorghum, white clover, crimson clover, oats, rye
And many other living things make an appearance

Note: This list is only an example. The species that make up Polymath Symbiotic Farm differ from field to field and change with the season, the climate, and availability.