voices of volunteers in 2021

Voices of past friends 2021(posted as original)

3rd year technical college female(Hokkaido)/3Monthstay

・ Opportunity for application

I visited in the summer before, so this time I wanted to go in the spring and try new work.

Because I wanted to see Mr. Emen again.

・Experienced farm work

making beet seedlings

Potato packing etc.

・Things that were difficult

When I was planting beet seedlings all day long, my body ached in the same position.

・Fun things

I was taken to various places in Shirataki by car.

Talking and cooking together at home.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

I think it's a good chance to meet various people and hear various stories!

The family is kind and the food is delicious!

You can do more farm work than you can imagine, and it's fun, so I definitely recommend going!

4th year university female(Tokyo) / April & October 86thwhilestay

・ Opportunity for application

After finishing my job hunting, I was looking for something like "I want to do farming in the countryside," and a friend told me about it. At the time, I was afraid to even go out to eat in Tokyo, so I wanted to relax in the great outdoors, so I applied without hesitation.

・Experienced farm work

Planting, weeding, stone picking, supplementary planting, thinning, harvesting, sorting, boxing, greenhouse maintenance, etc.

・Things that were difficult

When I was working to pull out the dandelions that were in full bloom in early spring, my heart ached. Other than that, basically every work was interesting!

・Fun things

Starting with potatoes, I was able to see the planting of various vegetables such as sweet corn and broccoli. was fun. Each and every day of farming was a first-time experience for me, so every day was new and a series of discoveries.

Of course, I enjoy my days off. We went to the back forest to pick edible wild plants, went fishing, and made sun-dried tomatoes together. Personally, I was very happy that my long-awaited drum bath came true.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

Farming itself is not easy, as it involves a lot of physical labor and monotonous work. I think it's a great opportunity for those who think about how to work more efficiently and enjoy the ingenuity to achieve their goals. Ezura Farm is a warm place where once you go, you will want to come back again and again. Yoko-san's food is too delicious, so please be careful about gaining weight lol

Early 30s, working woman(Tokyo)/FourMay 14daysstay

・ Opportunity for application

I couldn't go on an overseas trip that I used to go every year due to the coronavirus, so I decided to use my paid vacation to try a farm stay, which I had been interested in before. I decided to apply to Ezura Farm, which has a high price.

・Experienced farm work

Picking stones, sorting seed potatoes, leveling beet seedlings, chopping firewood, installing electric fences

・Things that were difficult

I was so inactive that I thought I was going to die for the first few days! Working outside in the flickering snow was tough.

・Fun things

I lived alone for a long time, so I enjoyed playing with Non-chan and Yakibi every day after farm work as a member of a warm family.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

At first, I was worried about whether I would be able to get along with the other volunteers and whether I would be able to keep up with the volunteers, but it turned out surprisingly well! It will be a great life experience, so I would like people in their 30s to apply.

Female 3rd year university student (Kyoto) / Stayed for 15 days in May

・ Opportunity for application

It all started with a referral from a friend. I myself have been interested in agriculture from the beginning, and have experienced agricultural volunteer work in Hokkaido and Shikoku.

When I was looking for a farm, I decided to apply after being introduced by a friend. I especially love potatoes, so I chose Ezura Farm, which grows a wide variety of potatoes.

・Experienced farm work

Transplanting beets, planting potatoes

・Things that were difficult

It was hard work. At first, it was a battle with sore muscles.

・Fun things

Everything lol! ! ! ! I think I was laughing all day long. Laugh as much as you want. Really fun and various talks, sometimes serious and deep stories. To my surprise, I was a natural self. I got along well with Mr. Ezura's family and other members of the agricultural volunteers, and I had the opportunity to talk about many things! I still keep in touch with the volunteer members and go out to play!

・ Message to those who are considering applying

Although it was a short period, I myself was able to live a fulfilling life full of learning. The first thing that comes to mind for Ezura Farm is "at home." After returning home, I'm homesick lol. The time I spent at Ezura Farm was truly irreplaceable. I'm sure it will be a wonderful experience. Please apply! !

2nd year female university student (Osaka) / Stayed for 20 days in August

・ Opportunity for application

I want to be a farmer's daughter! I participated in order to make a small dream come true. I usually live in the city surrounded by buildings, so I went to experience the extraordinary surrounded by nature.

・Experienced farm work

Harvesting broccoli, pulling weeds, picking up stones, and making cottage room

・Things that were difficult

It's about doing farm work in the temperature difference. I joined around August. There were times when I was working in the scorching sun wearing a middle coat and kappa, and there were times when it was 9 degrees when I woke up in the morning. However, it feels good to do farm work while sweating! !

・Fun things

I had a lot of fun chatting with the members of the Ezome family and the volunteers! The reason I was able to overcome the hard work in the farm was because I had so much fun spending time with the Ezora family and the volunteers.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to change their life! ! I think it will be a wonderful opportunity to reconsider yourself. And above all, I love the Emen family, nature and Hokkaido.

University 3sophomore female(Kyoto)/9May 15stay for days

・ Opportunity for application

When I heard about the Emo Farm in a high school class, I thought, "Live-in volunteers!? That sounds interesting!" I want to go someday! Just when I was thinking that, due to the influence of Corona, university classes are online. I was able to make good use of online classes and finally go to Ezura Farm!

・Experienced farm work Sorting potatoes Harvesting beets Harvesting sweet corn

・Things that were difficult

When sorting potatoes, it was a task that required a lot of concentration to separate the potatoes into a set size for each variety. In addition, it was difficult until I got used to sorting the potatoes while checking for scratches and cracks at the same time. Also, when I was harvesting beets, I used my whole body to harvest so much that I felt sore the next day!

・Fun things

There are some tasks that I think are difficult, but when I eat the food Yoko-san makes (it's so delicious!!!), my tiredness just goes away. After dinner, we all enjoyed talking and playing cards together during our free time. Also, on days off, they are free to do whatever they want. Personally, I have good memories of going mountain climbing with the Ezura family and all the volunteers! Autumn leaves are beautiful at the end of September. Even I, who has no mountain climbing experience, was able to climb, so I recommend it!

・ Message to those who are considering applying

I think it takes a lot of courage to go to a strange land and live there as a volunteer. However, at Ezura Farm, the Ezura family and volunteers warmly welcome us. The days spent with friends connected through farm work have become irreplaceable. By all means, please experience it yourself!

2nd year female university student (Kyoto) / Stayed for 14 days in September

・ Opportunity for application
In a life restricted by the corona wreck, I was worried about where I was going without doing anything. Therefore, I wanted to take some action, and in the sense of creating a gap from my usual life, I wanted a new stimulus by jumping into the existence of "agriculture" and "volunteering", which are not usually familiar.

・Experienced farm work
Dividing potatoes, removing weeds, putting anti-animal netting, harvesting corn

・Things that were difficult
Dividing the dirt from the potatoes was a tough task, with no end in sight. Sand gets in your eyes, mud clogs your nails, and your hands get sore with sand all over your body.

・Fun things
Even though it was difficult, I enjoyed everything. Although it was tough, I was able to get involved in agriculture without feeling suffocated in the vast land and sky, in the rich nature. Anyway, the food was delicious and I ate a lot, but it's also good for my health because it moves!

・For those who are considering applying
I'm not interested in agriculture, so even if you're wondering if Hokkaido is far away, please apply anyway! I can handle the rest. Two weeks may seem like a long time to some people, but it goes by in the blink of an eye. On the contrary, I thought that 2 weeks was not enough at all. I was able to find this volunteer information by some fate! I would definitely apply if I came back! That's what you think. Please try it!

2nd year female university student (Kyoto) / Stayed for 14 days in September

・ Opportunity for application
When I was in high school, I heard about farm stays and was always interested, so I applied.

・Experienced farm work
harvesting potatoes
Picking up stones Pulling out weeds

・Things that were difficult
Harvesting potatoes gave me sore muscles for the first time in a while, but I gradually got used to it!

・Fun things
Every day was fun, but I especially enjoyed being able to take you to various sightseeing spots on holidays.
Also, I had many opportunities to talk with the Ezura family and other people who came to the farm stay, as well as the locals, and I was happy that I could become friends with them. Everyone was so kind and funny!

・For those who are considering applying
Being surrounded by nature and doing full-fledged farming, which I don't usually get the chance to do, was a very unusual and valuable experience, and I was inspired by various things every day. Anyway, if you want to try something new, I definitely recommend you to experience a farm stay at Ezura Farm!

University 4sophomore male(Tokyo)/9month 12stay for days

・ Opportunity for application

I was in my fourth year at university and had some spare time for the last six months until I graduated, so I wanted to try something new that I had never been involved in before.

・Experienced farm work

Sorting potatoes, pulling weeds, harvesting pumpkins, cleaning guesthouses, etc.

・Things that were difficult

I had some confidence in my physical strength, but on the first day, it was so hard that my whole body was sore..lol

But after that, I got used to farm work, and I was able to eat delicious food in the morning, lunch, and dinner with a regular rhythm, and I was able to play in nature. Don't worry!

・Fun things

Everything I did in farming was my first experience and it was a lot of fun! When I was playing with Kibiya Non-chan, when I was eating rice, I was able to catch a huge pumpkin, climb mountains, and enjoy the perfect starry sky.

Surprisingly, I liked the time when we were all eating snacks and talking during breaks.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

To be honest, when I first applied, I thought it would be great if I could gain experience in agriculture, a field I didn't know much about.

If you are unsure, you should definitely apply, and I think you will be able to have a really rich experience! !

University 4Sophomore male (Tokyo) / Stayed for 24 days in October

・ Opportunity for application

I applied because I wanted to have a new experience that I hadn't had in my life until now in the few months that I have left to become a member of society from next year. The first thing that came to my mind was that I would be involved in the local primary industry. While researching various entities that would provide me with the opportunity, I found that they had a lot of experience in accepting volunteers, and their website was very complete. I've come to think that I want to apply to Ezura Farm, who is reliable and reliable!

・Experienced farm work

Sorting and packing potatoes, harvesting beets

・Things that were difficult

Since my life rhythm was extremely out of alignment, it was difficult until I got used to the lifestyle of waking up early in the morning and going to bed early at night in preparation for the next day. Also, before I left, I thought that the hardest part of farming was the burden on my body from repeating the same work (and I wasn't wrong), but in reality, I often use my head a lot. It was very difficult there. (It's a lot of fun to just work with your head.)

・Fun things

It was all fun. In addition to daily farm work, the time spent at home other than farm work and holiday activities (cycling, fishing, horseback riding, drum baths, pizza parties, sowing, stargazing, etc.) are all things that I could not experience when I lived in the city. Everything was fresh and exciting.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

If, like me, you want to experience rural farming life, I don't think there is a better place to experience it than here. You'll know when you go.

University 4Sophomore male (Tokyo) / Stayed for 24 days in October

・ Opportunity for application

・Experienced farm work

Sorting and packing potatoes, harvesting beets

・Things that were difficult

Since my life rhythm was extremely out of alignment, it was difficult until I got used to the lifestyle of waking up early in the morning and going to bed early at night in preparation for the next day. Also, before I left, I thought that the hardest part of farming was the burden on my body from repeating the same work. It was really hard. (It's a lot of fun to just work with your head.)

・Fun things

・ Message to those who are considering applying

If, like me, you want to experience rural farming life, I don't think there is a better place to experience it than here. You'll know when you go.

University 6sophomore female(Iwate)/Tenmonth 16stay for days

・ Opportunity for application

It all started when I heard from a junior at university that there was a place where you could live and experience farming. Also, in the area where I work, there are many farmers, and I have many opportunities to interact with such people.

・Experienced farm work

Harvesting beets, sorting and packing potatoes, picking up stones

・Things that were difficult

Harvesting the beets by hand in areas that machines could not pass through was difficult. For the first time in my life, I experienced muscle pain at the base of my thumb.

・Fun things

I enjoyed everything I experienced during my stay. At night, I spent time relaxing with the volunteers who were staying at the same time to prepare for the next day's work.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

I thought about it, but I think it's a lucky day lol

After experiencing the farm stay this time, I truly felt that I was glad that I had applied. I was able to have various experiences and meet people I would not have met if I hadn't come here. Also, I can now imagine more concretely how I want to work in the future (how to interact with farmers, etc.). I stayed for two weeks, but I was able to spend very meaningful days.

So, if you are wondering whether to apply or not, please give it a try.

University 4sophomore female(Kyoto)/TenMarch 23daysstay

・ Opportunity for application

I was originally interested in agriculture and wanted to actually experience it. I also love nature and was looking forward to meeting various people, so I decided to apply.

・Experienced farm work

Sorting potatoes, harvesting beets

・Things that were difficult

・Work to transport potato containers

When sorting potatoes, there was work to carry about 20 kg of potatoes. At first, it was difficult because I couldn't get the hang of it.

・Fun things

〇 Being able to experience full-scale agriculture

I really enjoyed the work of moving my body in nature and sorting out the potatoes. The hot springs after farm work, as well as the feeling of being tired during the day and sleeping soundly at night, was a very comfortable life.

o The scenery was beautiful

Everywhere I looked, the scenery was beautiful, and it was really the best. The first snow fell during my stay, and I was able to see a vast snowy landscape that cannot be seen in the city.

〇 I was able to experience various things other than farm work

You can make drum baths, fish in the river, bake pizza in a pizza kiln, go to Lake Saroma, ride horses, zipline, cycle, and more on your days off from farming. I gave it a go and it was a lot of fun. I was also happy that I was able to experience something personal, such as making sugar from beets.

〇 Being able to eat delicious food every day

Every meal the two of you made was delicious! I also have good memories of eating rice and talking about various things with everyone, having gyoza parties and takopa!

・ Message to those who are considering applying

I'm sure you'll have a really fun and fulfilling time! I was quite nervous at first, but the Ezora family and other volunteers were warm and made me feel at ease. Also, I respected everyone I met at Ezura Farm, and I myself was inspired and had a fulfilling three weeks.

I think Ezura Farm is the only place for farmers who can enjoy a full-scale farming experience, the warmth of people and pets, the scenery, the fashion, the cleanliness, and the comfort of the room! I was looking for other volunteer sites, but I decided on Ezura Farm because that part was attractive. I'm so glad I went to Ezura Farm!

4th year university male(Tokyo)/TenMarch 17daysstay

・ Opportunity for application

Because I wanted to experience and learn about large-scale agriculture in Hokkaido.

・Experienced farm work

Picking up rocks, packing potatoes into boxes, working with tractors (subtiler, soil mix), chasing deer, washing cars, cleaning up electric fences, chopping wood, cleaning guesthouses

・Things that were difficult

Collecting large stones while walking across vast farmlands.

It was difficult to stand in a line with the volunteers and collect the big stones, but we worked hard together by giving names to the stones and working together!

・Fun things

I enjoyed all the farm work, such as packing potatoes into boxes and working with the tractor, as well as the daily life at Ezura's house.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

Everything I spend at Ezura Farm is fresh and fun, so I'm glad I went! That's what I think. I usually sleep late and wake up late, so I thought it would be hard to get up early, but I quickly got used to the early to bed and early to rise lifestyle! A day's farm work is over in no time! Yoko's delicious meals, the time spent with the volunteers, and the time spent sleeping are so much fun! I'm really glad I came to Ezura Farm, and I want to come again, so please apply!

Male 4th year university student (Tokyo) / Stayed for 15 days in October
・ Opportunity for application

I wanted to try my hand at real farming. I thought it would be nice to work while sweating in the vast nature of Hokkaido.

・Experienced farm work

Sorting potatoes, harvesting beets

・Things that were difficult

Thinking about how to do various tasks efficiently. It's surprisingly fun to go through trial and error while consulting with other volunteers and staff.

・Fun things

Doing farm work while listening to each other's favorite music. This works surprisingly well. The number of activities on the day off is almost infinite (?). Anything is fun when the weather is nice. You can spend a lot of time in the living room during your stay, so you can feel at home. You can always see the wood burning stove.

・ Message to those who are considering applying

Only nice people. Most of what you think you want to do will come true. If you go to the point of considering it, regret doing it rather than regret not doing it. I will never regret it.