The Japan Society of Boston’s February Brown Bag Luncheon on Tuesday, February 13 at noon features speaker Yoko Takemura from Assawaga Farm, speaking on Bridging Countries with Organic Farming. Yoko Takemura lived and worked in countries all over the world before moving to Brooklyn, NY, where she joined a community garden and discovered the wonders of growing vegetables. It wasn’t long before she began applying for apprenticeships on organic vegetable farms outside of the city. Now she and her husband have started their own certified organic vegetable farm in Northeast Connecticut, where they grow a diverse range of vegetables and mushrooms, with a special emphasis on Japanese heirloom and traditional varieties. Having worked on farms both in the US and Japan, they aspire to adopt a mix of farming practices and customs.

The Brown Bag Series is an ongoing occasion to gather and talk about Japan together. Speakers are selected from across New England as well as special visiting guests. After a brief presentation about the speaker’s unique Japan experience or specialty, we enjoy a group discussion together on the topic.

All Brown Bag meetings are from 12-1p at the JSB Office in the Cambridge Innovation Center, Meridian Room, on the 5th floor of 50 Milk Street in Boston. After signing the log-book at the front desk, proceed up the elevators on the left to the 5th floor. Please feel free to bring your own lunch.