There is more than one path to your goals and dreams. Learn to find your own solutions. | Kiyoko Kojima (2002 Graduate, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)

2016.04.01

Kiyoko Kojima

Vegetable Grower / Representative of the NPO Nou-School and Eto-Saien Co., Ltd.

Graduated from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies in 2002

I established and run an NPO that targets young people who are NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) or social recluses (hikikomori), homeless individuals, and welfare recipients. While they experience the basics of farming, we help them find a path back into society and connect them with farmers who are struggling with labor shortages. I was originally interested in food security issues and wanted to support agriculture in developing countries in the future, so I even considered enrolling in a faculty of agriculture. However, I believe I am where I am today because of the broad-based learning at SFC and the connections I made there. At SFC, you can acquire the ability to identify problems and find your own solutions. I was also able to find a path by connecting agriculture, which I wanted to explore, with the issue of homelessness, which I was concerned about. Now, I have started a type of farming that grows crops using only the power of the soil, without any pesticides or even organic fertilizers. I hope to one day realize my own dream of teaching agriculture overseas, which has always been on my mind, by gaining more knowledge and experience to hone my farming skills.

Post-Graduation Career

April 2002: Transferred to the Major in Human Sciences, Faculty of Letters, Keio University

April 2005: Joined a wholesale company for agricultural products

May 2009: Established Eto-Saien Co., Ltd.

2011: Launched the experiential farm "Kotomo Farm"

2013: Established the NPO "Nou-School"