Shumei — Partnerships

Shumei has developed a number of partnerships with organizations around the world that share its concern for the environment and sustainable agriculture.

Rodale Institute
The Rodale Institute was created by visionary J.I. Rodale. He learned about organic food-growing concepts being promoted by Lady Eve Balfour and Sir Albert Howard and theorized that to preserve and improve our health we must restore and protect the natural health of the soil. The Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial is the longest running research trial comparing organic and non-organic farming in the US looking at regenerative farming methods’ ability to curb global warming, improve food nutritional values, and increase food security. Shumei has a demonstration Natural Agriculture garden at the Rodale Institute.

Soil Association
The Soil Association is the UK’s leading campaigning and certification organization for organic food and farming. The Soil Association certifies 80 percent of the organic produce in England. Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association, established a relationship with Shumei recognizing the value of the Natural Agriculture farming system and its philosophy. Both organizations are actively involved in improving the way in which food is produced, prepared and consumed.

Sacrafamilia
The Sacrafamilia Vineyard is a 20-hectare organic vineyard run by the brother and sister team of Jorge and Anne Merucandeli. The vineyard was originally a farm and the family converted to organic farming in 1940. Today the Sacrafamilia produces more than ten kinds of wines without the use of chemicals or yeasts during production or fermentation process. They only add sulfur dioxide during the bottling and even seeds and grape skins are used to make the wine. The owners have a deep respect for nature and they care for the vines with natural methods. They even play classical music in their winery, which they believe helps to improve the taste and quality of their wine, which has won several awards. In 2008 Shumei began a partnership with the Sacrafamilia Vineyard.

Total Rural Development
The Total Rural Development Institute of Cooperatives Inc. (TRDIC) is a grassroots organization based in Iba, Zambales in the Philippines. The organization’s vision and mission is to create a totally self-reliant development model. TRDIC assists rural communities through self-reliance model replication training and support services, including developing sustainable agriculture-based cooperative enterprises and industries. Shumei formed an alliance with TRDIC to apply Shumei’s knowledge in Natural Agriculture to the organization’s self-reliant model.

Mbabala Women Farmers’ Cooperative Union
The Mbabala Women Farmers’ Cooperative Union (MBAWOFA) was established by Jessie Brenda Hachipuka in 2003. The organization is located in the Mbabala Constituency, Southern Province of Zambia and consists of several women cooperatives. MBAWOFA aims to empower rural women farmers in order to improve their household status and income through increased participation in rural development. Barbara Hachipuka became the director of MBAWOFA after her mother’s death and established a partnership with Shumei. The MBAWOFA works with Shumei to train farmers in Natural Agriculture and teaches them to use affordable, environmentally friendly farming methods for food production and as a source of income. The micro-finance program provides them with the opportunity as well as skills for them to run their own small-scale businesses. This partnership program was featured on the UN NGO-IRENE Best Practices Network.