Making Agriculture a Profession Children Aspire To!

Our company supports 'April Dream,' a project that aims to make April 1st a day to share dreams. This press release is the dream of 'Mochiji & Endou Farm.'

'Mochiji & Endou Farm' (Location: Kunimi-cho, Date-gun, Fukushima Prefecture; Representative: Ryota Mochiji), which has continued since the Edo period, has established a unique 'Farmer x Chef' model. We aim to produce many farmers who achieve self-actualization while engaged in agriculture, and by creating a positive image of farming, we aspire to enter the 'Top Jobs Children Want' ranking.

Our dream is to realize a well-being society starting from agriculture, which will lead to an increase in new farmers, higher retention rates, and the resolution of regional issues such as abandoned farmland and depopulation.

Background of the Dream Kunimi-cho, where our farm is located, is designated as a depopulated area and faces issues like population decline and an increase in abandoned farmland. Although there are some new farmers due to its good access (about 2 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen/train), challenges remain in sustainable retention.

Agriculture is not an easy job, but it is a profession where you can achieve self-actualization by combining it with what you want to do, in addition to the joy of harvesting. With ingenuity, it is also possible to earn a stable income through agriculture.

We believe that if more farmers work vibrantly, to the point where it becomes a dream job for future children, it will lead to regional revitalization and the resolution of local issues.

Current Initiatives At our farm, we utilize the vegetables and fruits we produce to provide catering and pop-up restaurant services, as well as engage in product development.

In particular, our 'Anpo-gaki Butter Sandwich,' which won the runner-up prize at the 'Fukushima Mantendo Grand Prix 2024,' is our signature product, and we continue to develop new products.

Furthermore, by working with the dual axes of agriculture and chef, we maximize the value of agricultural products and increase our own fulfillment in our work.

Additionally, as an initiative to solve regional issues in Kunimi-cho, we have formed a project team with talent from the Tokyo metropolitan area to create 'relational populations,' starting new movements that connect the region with the outside world.

About Mochiji & Endou Farm (Ryota Mochiji) Mochiji & Endou Farm is a farm that has continued for about 200 years in Kunimi-cho, Date-gun, Fukushima Prefecture. Currently, the 6th generation, Ryota Mochiji, and his grandfather, the 5th generation, produce rice, vegetables, and fruits.

Representative Mochiji has a background as a chef at the Imperial Hotel and uses that experience to create crops with a focus on 'vegetables sought by chefs.' Beyond production, we also develop businesses that combine agriculture and cooking, such as pop-up restaurants that bring out the maximum charm of agricultural products and product development.

Farm Overview Name: Mochiji & Endou Farm Location: 41 Komyoji, Kunimi-cho, Date-gun, Fukushima Prefecture Representative: Ryota Mochiji Business Content: Production and sale of agricultural products, planning and sale of processed foods, food service, etc. HP: https://www.mochiji-endou.jp/ Online Store: https://mochijiendo.base.shop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochiji_endou_nouen/ note: https://note.com/mochiji_jiiji