Located in Pasucen Village, some 8 miles (13 km) from the center of Pati Regency, Yutaka Farm is an outdoor café with a connection to nature. From the moment visitors set foot inside, they are greeted with lush greenery and plenty of photo-friendly corners. Artfully arranged bamboo decorations add to the beauty of gardens bursting with plants, flowers, and trees.
At Yutaka Farm, visitors can grab a bite to eat or get some refreshment in delicious dishes and beverages, capture stunning photos, and enjoy live music performances. There’s also plenty of fun activities to explore, which reveal the magic of plants.
A place where reforestation education takes centerstage
The founder of Yutaka Farm is Andi Lestari. From day one, his dream was to build an educational center that grew tree seedlings and helped children and young people get involved in conservation. In the beginning, youngsters were non-plussed by the farming concept. Andi knew he had to jazz things up a bit.
“This place is a part of our mission to introduce the concepts of reforestation and agriculture in a trendy and engaging way,” explains Andi. “By adopting this approach, we aim to grab the public’s attention, particularly children and young people.”
Andi believes that by grabbing kids’ attention first, he can spark their interest in planting trees. “This also involves the preservation of the mangrove ecosystem in Pati, which needs serious protective measures,” explains Andi.
At Yutaka, Andi introduces visitors to plants in some creative ways. With an emphasis on play and entertainment, Yutaka Farm has become a hub for the local community since it opened in 2019. Now, every weekend and on public holidays, the farm is packed with visitors.
Restoring mangroves along the Pati coastline
Andi is deeply concerned about the recent decline in Pati’s mangroves. Yutaka Farm was born out of his dedication to their preservation and restoration. Since 2009, he has been cultivating mangrove seedlings and then replanting them in the wild.
In addition to cultivating mangrove seedlings, Andi is an activist and educator who is involved in many mangrove restoration projects and activities, both as a founder and as a volunteer. Yutaka Farm is just one of many ways in which he is working to protect mangroves in Pati.
He believes the future of these important ecosystems depends on local kids becoming interested and getting involved in conservation. He also believes the well-being of the community is directly linked to the health of mangroves.
“Mangroves are essential to coastal areas in Pati, because they prevent erosion,” Andi explains. “When powerful waves struck the shores of Pati in 2022, places without mangrove coverage were hit harder compared to those with mangroves.”
Working with Trees4Trees
To really make a difference, Andi and his Yutaka Farm need help. “We cannot accomplish this task alone,” he says. “Local communities, institutions, and the government need to work together to raise awareness of mangroves and their importance to places like Pati.”
“In 2021, we partnered with Yutaka Farm to produce 30,000 mangrove seedlings,” says Khoirum Minan, the Trees4Trees Unit Manager in Pati. “The following year, our production increased significantly, surpassing 100,000 seedlings – we have now successfully planted them at several locations in the coastal areas of Pati.”
Mangrove replanting in Pati is an integral part of Trees4Trees’ long-term commitment to supporting the government’s vision for the region. Working alongside Yutaka Farm, Trees4Trees is creating a green belt along the coast, helping to restore natural ecosystems while also protecting the well-being of local communities inland.
