This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha (since 1998 here), a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who want to learn farming, who want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Japan incl. Shintoku and grow animals and vegetables in an ecological, organic way.
At Shintoku farm in Hokkaido, they grow cows, pigs, vegetables with utilizing bacterium and produce various types of milk products as well as running the cafe (soft cream and cakes are so yummy!) which is a popular spot for the local people and tourists. Their cheese got the best prize in the World contest for the mountain cheese! The project has been revived this year since 2019.
*Outcome of this workcamp: So many vols. have joined this community and greatly contributed both physically and mentally. There is even a case to marry one of the community members:) Please see the long term goal of this project as "Local SDGs" at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/n0-68540773 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!)
Volunteers will mainly do 1) Agricultural work (planting, weeding, cultivating and harvesting of the organic vegetables, taking care of animals, milk processing, etc.), 2) House work (cooking and cleanings along with members in the community) and possibly 3) Handcrafts and textiles ( making some handcrafts and textiles for sale to the locals). Bee ready to do what will be needed for the farm!
Motivation letter is needed. Interest and motivation to work and live in this type of community. Respect to their life. Some levels of Japanese speaking skills as well as high motivation to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. Skills of agriculture or construction can be useful!
Share the rooms in the facility which Shintoku Farm members live in. Cooking with the members by turn (Vegetarian is possible if it's prepared by volunteer self.)
-
70 nationalities are exempted to get visa within 3-6 months stay! So, only those who are from other countries or those who will stay for a longer time will need to get visa.
Check the updated info. at this site (https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_000921.html#section2) and this site (https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html) of MOFA, Japanese embassies and any others. Specified
-
18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal.
This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).
-Study theme
Learn about organic farming, taking care of animals such as cows, chickens. Learn a group work with various types of people.
- Other activities
Join the local festivals. Sightseeing (hot springs, famous places in this area).
- Location
Shintoku town is an agricultural country side with big scale of nature and farms, at the foot of "Mt. Milk" and located in the center of Hokkaido island, near Obihiro and 120 km east of Sapporo. -20 degree in winter and 20 in summer.
- Terminal
The nearest airport is Obihiro for domestic and Sapporo (CTS) for international flights. From CTS to the meeting point (Shintoku station), it takes 2 hours by express train. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama, so firstly should arrive at Tokyo airport by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave Tokyo airport after 18:00 on the ending day.
-Language
English and Japanese. Not many members can speak basic English (while the leader of the farm can speak very fluently!), so you will communicate with them in mixing simple English and Japanese.
- Other
The first/ last 2 days are On Arrival/ Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama. Shintoku Farm website=https://www.kyodogakusha.org/ (only in Japanese)
- Find a project that interests you in our Open Projects
- Find your local organisation in your country of residence using our branch locator
- Get in touch with them with details about the project(s) you want to apply to. They will become your sending organisation.
- Any issues? Contact us!
