Throughout the session, participants are encouraged to grow in their ability to observe situations, analyze problems, find solutions and evaluate the process. Participants visit farms, schools and community organizations. There is one major off-campus study trip, as well as tours of northern and western Japan. ARI instructors include men and women from several countries, Hoover said. Their combined experience includes proficiency in organic farming of crops and vegetables, animal husbandry, nutrition, farm technology, fish culture, food processing, cooperatives and credit unions, integrated farming, rural leadership skills, community organization and spiritual growth.
Participants also eat what they grow.
More than 80 percent of the food consumed at ARI is grown on campus. Participants hone their leadership skills by heading seminars and presenting project reports related to their areas of study, so that what they learn can be shared with the entire group. They also take turns sharing duties in the kitchen. Each day the community meets in the chapel for morning gathering. The leader of the day uses music, scripture, prayers and meditations appropriate to his or her own tradition.