Sato is known as “Kinoko Mama” (kinoko means mushroom in Japanese.). She used to grow shiitake and wood ear mushrooms. But she switched to growing rice and making maple cider after the disaster. Her belief is “our bodies are made of what we eat.” She makes products that are additive-free and is also trying to reduce pesticides used. Nishiaizu-okugawa, is depopulating and the majority of residents are elderly. She is doing her best to delay the demise of the area by developing local industries through farming.

45歳で脱サラし、ご主人の故郷・西会津町で農家を始めた通称“キノコママ”の佐藤さん。震災以前はシイタケ・キクラゲ等を生産していたが、震災以降、メープル加工品とコメの生産に転向。「私達の体は、私達の食べたものでできている」という想いから、無添加・減農薬に取り組む。消滅可能性集落の西会津奥川地域で、「本当に豊かな暮らしは何か」を追求しつつ、農業による地域産業の立ち上げ、雇用創出にも力を入れる。