TOMODACHI Generation: Shota Yuki

Shota Yuki was born and raised in Miyagi as a third generation apple farmer. He participated in the TOMODACHI FIRST Program where he shared with and learned from other participants, creating a new network of people who are actively involved in Tohoku from various fields. 

Studying agriculture in Japan and the United States was a very natural path for Yuki. In 2011, his town Watari-cho was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and fortunately, his farm was still operable. Because all of his colleagues lost their houses and farms, Shota strongly felt that his personal mission was to become a successful farmer.

With this new mission in mind, Yuki participated in the Japan Agricultural Training Program in 2012 where he worked for 14 months on a farm in Washington state, experiencing the hardships and challenges of field work. After farm training, Yuki studied agricultural management at U.C. Davis.

Yuki gained a new global network of farmers during his farm training and experience working with immigrant workers in the United States.  He was inspired by these workers, and learned the importance of establishing trust and reliable relationships between the workers and owners. Yuki is currently working on a new initiative, making apple cider from his farm. He is seeking more collaboration between farmers and other industries because he believes that it would revitalize the community.

• To read about this program, click here