Hirosaki's dance and vocal unit "RINGOMUSUME" will open an apple farm "Ringo Musume Smile Farm" on April 17, and will challenge apple cultivation.

The unit aims to disseminate information on Aomori and revitalize agriculture. The names of the active members are apple varieties. Last year, it was the 20th year since its formation, and now it is a 7th gen member and leader Orin, a 6th gen member Toki, and an 8th gen member Jonagold and Saika. All of them live in Aomori, and Jonagold and Ayaka go to a university in Aomori prefecture.

Shinichi Higawa, the president of "Apple Music", says that he has helped with farming work for 20 years, but is the first to work on cultivation with farmland. Last year, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the work of live activities and event appearances disappeared, and it was said that it was focusing on online activities and YouTube distribution.

"Listen to the producers' voices such as" I want you to send more apples through entertainment activities, "think about what you can do with the corona virus, and try to return to" semi-agricultural and semi-arts, "which is also the origin of the activities of apple girls. I decided, "says Higawa. The members themselves launched a project to grow apples and joined the Aomori Apple Association.

At the farm, 50 of each of the 4 member varieties and Fuji are cultivated by high-density planting. According to Mr. Hikawa, high-density planting cultivation is one of the cultivation methods that are being tackled worldwide, and it is suitable for new farmers because of its high yield and easy maintenance.

Mr. Higawa said, "Because of the disadvantage of the initial cost, it has not taken root among farmers in Aomori, but if we can expect early high yields and prove that even idols can grow apples, it will lead to a shortage of successors these days. Well then. "

On the same day, in addition to the four apple girls, rice balls, Alps virgins, and trainee leaf members planted trees and tied the seedlings to the trellis (supporting pillars). After finishing the work, Jonagold said, "I would like to thank many people for their cooperation and finally set the starting point. I hope our activities will help revitalize the apple industry." show. "I'm also worried about making a university graduation thesis," he said.

Future work will be distributed on YouTube. Since the harvest is not expected in the first year, shipment is scheduled for next year or later.