Meiji University Faculty of Agriculture Students Conduct Farm Stay Practical Training in Ibaraki Prefecture

From Friday, May 8, 2026, to Thursday, May 14, 2026, for seven days, ten second-year students from the Department of Food and Environmental Policy, Faculty of Agriculture, Meiji University, will conduct "Farm Stay Practical Training" in Tsukuba City and Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture, as the first group of this year's training programs held across the country.

This practical training is a second-year required course in the department, aiming for students to comprehensively learn about agricultural management and rural life by staying in rural areas and experiencing farm work. It is a valuable opportunity to experience community-rooted life and deepen understanding of various social issues surrounding food, agriculture, rural areas, environment, and regional resources.

Every year, the Department of Food and Environmental Policy conducts this farm stay practical training with cooperating farmers nationwide. Through on-site practical experience, students deepen their learning and foster connections with local communities.

In this training, students will be dispatched to Sakayori Farm (Tsukuba City), OS Farm (Tsukuba City), and Agri Yamazaki (Bando City) to engage in farm work such as rice planting and conduct social surveys including interviews and participatory observation.

[Farm Stay Practical Training (Ibaraki) Overview]

● Schedule Friday, May 8, 2026 - Thursday, May 14, 2026

(1) Opening Ceremony (Welcome Party) May 8, 2026 (Fri) 18:00~, Location: OS Farm (1060-1 Kunimatsu, Tsukuba City)

(2) Closing Ceremony (Courtesy Visit to City Hall) May 14, 2026 (Thu) 10:00~, Location: Tsukuba City Hall (1-1-1 Kenkyu Gakuen, Tsukuba City)

● Training Locations (1) Sakayori Farm (Tsukuba City) (2) OS Farm (Tsukuba City) (3) Agri Yamazaki (Bando City)

● Training Content (1) Pre-training: Preparation and motivation for practical training participation, preparation for social surveys, etc. (2) Farm Work Practical Training: ① Engage in farm work and experience life in a rural society ② Social surveys (interviews, participatory observation) (3) Post-training: Recording work diaries and submitting post-training reports

● Participating Students 10 second-year students from the Department of Food and Environmental Policy, Faculty of Agriculture, Meiji University

[Other Planned Farm Stay Training Locations] Mid-to-late May: Kanayama Town, Fukushima Prefecture Mid-to-late June: Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture Early July: Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture Early August: Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture / Kitashiobara Village, Fukushima Prefecture Early September: Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture Mid-September: Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture Late September: Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture / Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture / Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture Early October: Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture Early October: Itakura Town, Gunma Prefecture Mid-October: Higashiizu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture Early November: Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture Early November: Shimoina Village, Nagano Prefecture