[Vigilanteman]

FWIW, my brother farms in the Nagano area and teaches elementary school. He saved a large apple orchard from the developer's bulldozer by telling the landowner he would tend it and give him an ongoing piece of the action.

The landowner would have gotten more money selling out, but he planted that orchard and liked my brother's proposal. There are other farmers in similar positions, so definitely consider it.

BTW, he checks his fruit regularly with a Geiger counter and there have been no ill effects from Fukushima. He also deviates from the rote memorization script and the students and parents love the results. Not so long ago, the Japanese government granted him, his wife and son permanent resident status.

[GraceG]

” Not so long ago, the Japanese government granted him, his wife and son permanent resident status. “

That alone is IMPRESSIVE!!!

They need Farmers in Japan due to aging population and declining demographics, so I am half tempted to take an “early retirement” by renting out my house in the US (once I get it paid for) and moving to Hokkaido and doing farm work, it may be hard physically but at least I wouldn’t have to deal with all the paperwork crap even runnign a small hobby farm inthe US would entail.

My only barrier to this would be that U&ncle Sugar would probably rake me over the coals on the “rent income” from my US house...