The Japanese Agricultural Training Program (JATP) Graduation Ceremony
2019/10/26
On October 8, the Japanese Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC), the Big Bend Community College (BBCC), Big Bend Community College Foundation (BBCCF), and the Consulate-General of Japan co-hosted the Japanese Agricultural Training Program (JATP) graduation ceremony at the Consulate Office.
In his opening remarks, Senior Consul Takeshi Murazawa expressed his appreciation for those involved in the program. He also motivated the young trainee graduates to utilize their knowledge and the experience acquired in the U.S. to help their country’s agriculture industry which faces its own challenges such as climate change and the aging population of farmers.
Dr. Terrance Leas, President of Big Bend Community College (BBCC); Ms. LeAnn Parton, Executive Director of Big Bend Community College Foundation (BBCCF); Mr. David Rappuhn, Sky Valley Family Farm; and Mr. Takashi Yoshikawa, Director of JAEC US Branch, all gave congratulatory speeches, reflecting on the importance of the program and their memories, and expression hope for the trainees’ bright futures.
Following the speakers, training completion certificates were awarded to each of the 43 graduates. Trainee representative Mr. Kohei Matsuo delivered remarks on behalf of the group, sharing his story about striving as the only Asian person in the small Illinois town. Expressing gratitude for the support and friendship the trainees received over the past 19 month, he vowed to utilize the knowledge and experience gained in the U.S. for his future contribution to Japanese agriculture.
In his opening remarks, Senior Consul Takeshi Murazawa expressed his appreciation for those involved in the program. He also motivated the young trainee graduates to utilize their knowledge and the experience acquired in the U.S. to help their country’s agriculture industry which faces its own challenges such as climate change and the aging population of farmers.
Dr. Terrance Leas, President of Big Bend Community College (BBCC); Ms. LeAnn Parton, Executive Director of Big Bend Community College Foundation (BBCCF); Mr. David Rappuhn, Sky Valley Family Farm; and Mr. Takashi Yoshikawa, Director of JAEC US Branch, all gave congratulatory speeches, reflecting on the importance of the program and their memories, and expression hope for the trainees’ bright futures.
Following the speakers, training completion certificates were awarded to each of the 43 graduates. Trainee representative Mr. Kohei Matsuo delivered remarks on behalf of the group, sharing his story about striving as the only Asian person in the small Illinois town. Expressing gratitude for the support and friendship the trainees received over the past 19 month, he vowed to utilize the knowledge and experience gained in the U.S. for his future contribution to Japanese agriculture.
Senior Consul Murazawa
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 Dr. Terrance Leas, President of Big Bend Community College |
Mr. David Rappuhn, Sky Valley Family Farm
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Mr. Takashi Yoshikawa, Director of JAEC US Branch
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Trainee representative Mr. Kohei Matsuo
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Group Photo
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