Yamagata Prefectural College of Agriculture

  The Yamagata Prefectural College of Agriculture was founded in 1955 to foster advancement in agricultural management. Since then, we have pened our doors to over 2,900 students. As graduates of our college, they have continued as leaders in agriculture in their respective communities.

 YPCA is a two-year college. About 100 first and second year students reside in dormitories as they study on our campus. Our school offers cultivation programs in rice, fruits, vegetables, as well as floriculture, animal science, and food processing.
 Our curriculum is based on the advancement of cultivation techniques, research, and management.

 In 1992, our school established a sister college relationship with Fort Morgan Community College, Colorado, USA. With the continued partnership of our schools, our students visit Fort Morgan every year. Through this exchange, our students have the valuable opportunity to broaden their outlook on an international level, as well as reflect upon Yamagata and Japan.

 The majority of our graduates become active in Yamagata prefecture’s agricultural management or in companies that foster agricultural growth. They take an active role on various levels in promoting agricultural grown in our prefecture.

Our Educational Goals

Promote agricultural growth

 Stressing hands-on training in specialized techniques, YPCA prepares our future leaders to meet the challenges in agriculture and agriculture related industries. Our curriculum includes courses vital in developing top rate managerial skills; accounting, sales, and distribution.
 Horticulture and animal science laboratories of the prefecture adjacent to our school allow students to learn through state of the art equipment. We also help students obtain various licenses that will help them in their respective fields after graduation.

Promote the use of Information Technology and foster internationalization

 On our campus we have an “Agricultural Information Center”. Specialists from this center teach students to fully utilize the internet and all of its resources as well as instruct students how to process and present the information.
 Also YPCA has established a sister college partnership with Fort Morgan College in Colorado, USA. Our students experience a farm stay as part of their overseas agricultural training.

Mandatory dormitory residences to help in networking and forming friendships

 All students at YPCA reside in dormitories. All 3 meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are taken in the school cafeteria. After classes, students study in their rooms and spend time with friends. Most students cite their dormitory life as extremely positive and enjoyable.

Duration of study　---- 2 years
Student body size ---- 50 students in each grade

Rice crops

 The staple food in Japan is rice. Yamagata prefecture is a chief producer of rice in Japan. YPCA strives to promote experienced, knowledgeable experts in this area of rice cultivation and production. Our staff continues to work with students to produce high quality, delicious rice with cultivation procedures that are safe to our environment.

Pomology

 Yamagata prefecture is famous for its production of fruits. Our prefecture is the number one producer of cherries and European pears. YPCA works to provide the best support for our future leaders in this field.
 YPCA grows cherries, pears, grapes, peaches etc. Continuing research strives to create better tasting fruits and environmentally friendly growing techniques.

Vegetables crops and　floriculture

Students learn about the latest techniques in growing vegetables and flowers such as, watermelon, melon, tomatoes, leafy vegetables, Turkish bellflowers, cyclamen, and roses.
 Our students research ways to control early and late harvesting through the usage of rock wool via hydroponics or greenhouses. We also provide instruction to help students receive certification in flower arranging.

Animal sciences

 Students learn the latest techniques in raising dairy and beef cattle, including the production of high quality fodder and fertilization techniques such as embryo transfers and artificial insemination that foster the production of high quality dairy and beef. YPCA provides the instruction needed to receive certification in the various fields involving animal sciences.

Food manufacturing

 We start a new subject in the next school term of 2009.It is “Food manufacturing”. Students learn manufacturing techniques of beans, vegetables and fruits in a newly built processing house. Research is done to help produce traditional miso paste, pickled vegetables, jam, and sweets. Also students are encouraged to find new food processing possibilities by fully utilizing locally grown food. 　　　　

Land area

Building and site　　　　 56,067? (13.85acre) 　　　　　
Field　　　　　　　　 462,000? (114.16acre) 　　　　　
Others　　　　　　　　 85,058? (20.02acre) 　　　　

Building 　　　　　

Main building and classrooms   2,731? (0.67acre) 　　　　　
Gym   916? (0.23acre) 　　　　　
Farm Facilities   4,705? (1.16acre) 　　　　　
Livestock facilities   3,205? (0.79acre) 　　　　　
Dormitory   3,234? (0.80acre) 　　　　　
Training institute   2,041? (0.50acre) 　　　　　
Others   1,198? (0.30acre)

Location

 

 

College Broshure 2011 (PDF format, 834kbyte)