Thomas Kloepfer

Thomas is a regenerative farmer and sustainability researcher based in Onomichi, Japan. With a PhD in environmental economics and over 15 years of experience living and working in Japan, he combines academic research with hands-on farming practice.

Since 2008, Thomas has studied sustainable agriculture, food systems, and rural development. In 2011, he broke ground on his first plot of land in Japan while working as an Assistant English Teacher. He continues to farm and live on that same property today. Over the years, both his knowledge and his farm have grown — expanding from a single field to multiple surrounding plots managed using regenerative and no-till principles.

His research has focused on agricultural policy, sustainability, and rural livelihoods, including fieldwork in remote mountain communities. Thomas brings this global perspective into his daily farming work, applying practical solutions that support soil health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience.

Through his farm and educational activities, Thomas hopes to inspire more self-reliant lifestyles and demonstrate that small-scale agriculture can play an important role in building sustainable communities in Japan and beyond.