Friday, July 11, 2025
Elementary school students from Sapporo experience farming at a farm in Hokuryu Town
On Wednesday, July 2nd, Mr. and Mrs. Naoki Shiraoka, the representative of Farm Kinosha Co., Ltd., who live in Hokuryu Town, hosted a group of nine students from Sapporo Municipal Heiwadori Elementary School as part of their two-day, one-night school trip to experience farming. They harvested asparagus and had a taste experience.
"Genkimura Dream Rural Academy" Initiatives
Genki Mura Dream Rural School is an organization that accepts people to experience rural life and farming in the Kita Sorachi region of Hokkaido (Fukagawa City, Imobeushi Town, Chishibetsu Town, Hokuryu Town, and Numata Town).
The group began its activities in 2002 with a rice planting experience at the Fukagawa campus of Clark Memorial International High School, and aims to increase the number of people who understand agriculture by accepting students on school trips, mainly from urban areas.
Genki Mura Yume no Noson Juku is an organization that accepts people to experience rural life in the Kita Sorachi region of Hokkaido. Why not become a member of Noson Juku?
Nojo Kinoya Co., Ltd. (Hokuryu Town)
It has been 18 years since asparagus cultivation began in the asparagus greenhouse of Mr. Shiraoka of Farm Kinoya Co., Ltd. Asparagus is a time-consuming and labor-intensive crop that is harvested three years after the seedlings are planted.
Let's go and experience asparagus harvesting!
At 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2nd, the bus arrived and nine students, accompanied by Principal Shinobu Masutani, headed to the asparagus house at Shiraoka Farm.
6th grade students of Sapporo Municipal Heiwadori Elementary School
Lecture on harvesting methods
After listening intently to Shiraoka's explanation of how to harvest and things to be careful of, we grabbed scissors and harvesting baskets and headed into the greenhouse, which resembles an "asparagus forest" and is filled with lush green leaves. We searched for thick, sturdy asparagus that were about 27cm long and harvested them.
Harvest time filled with smiles
"I found some amazing asparagus!"
"You harvested a lot."
"I want to eat it now!"
Inside the house, the sounds of children's lively and happy chatter fill the air.
Tasting the freshly picked fruit! "It's delicious!" exclaimed the impressed customers.
Carrying a basket full of freshly harvested asparagus, we head to Shiraoka's house.
We harvested so much!
Neatly arranged shoes
One of the students noticed and carefully lined up everyone's shoes at the entrance of their home. This thoughtfulness is heartwarming.
Exceptional taste! Freshly picked asparagus
His wife, Kimi, skillfully washed and boiled the asparagus in the kitchen. We enjoyed the steaming, shiny asparagus with mayonnaise, salt, or whatever seasoning we liked.
"Delicious!"
"I can eat as much as I want!"
"It tastes different from regular asparagus! It's really delicious!"
The children were heard expressing their excitement one after another. Principal Masutani also munched on the asparagus with gusto along with the students.
The freshly picked asparagus disappeared in no time.
Cheers with juice!
After finishing the asparagus, we toasted with the drinks that were provided!!!
The principal said, "You have some time before the bus pick-up, so you can go for a walk outside or spend time at home. Feel free to do as you like," and everyone was free to do as they pleased around the house!
The children played with Shiraoka's beloved cat "Ann-chan," played with Shiraoka's grandchild's toys, showed off their gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics skills, and had a great time with endless laughter.
Story by Naoki Shiraoka
"It's been 22 years since I started farming. Here, I can hear the sound of flowing water in the canals, the flapping of birds and insects' wings, and the chorus of frogs at night. This is a small town where there should be nothing, but if you listen carefully, you can hear the lively and pleasant sounds.
I realized that there was "nothing" here and that humans are also a part of nature.
"Hokuryu Town has a large difference in temperature between day and night, making it an ideal place for growing crops, so we are grateful for the blessings of nature," Shiraoka said with a gentle smile.
With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, we send our best wishes to Genki Village Rural Academy, where participants can experience farming in the great outdoors of Kita-Sorachi and experience the importance and deliciousness of food through warm interactions with farmers.
Youtube Video
More Photos
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◇ ◇ Photography, editing and website management: Noboru Terauchi Writer: Ikuko Terauchi
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