JATP Program Kicks Off Another Year In Moses Lake Friday

The Japanese Agricultural Training Program kicks off its 54^th year on the campus of Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake Friday.  The 18 month effort serves as a work/training educational program for Japanese students.  Stacey Cobb said the first nine weeks of JATP focuses on English training as well as some Spanish.  Mixed in is introductory American Ag classes.

“One of my favorite to teach on is irrigation, they have no concept of a dam and water coming down and how we farm using that water vs. rainwater.”

Cobb said the students stay on campus in the dorms, allowing for complete immersion in the Columbia Basin Ag industry.  But she noted, Moses Lake is just the beginning.

“They go all throughout the United States on to different farm, where they learn about the farms, the management and the production that’s going on there.  And then when they’re done with that, they go to University of California at Davis where they have more specialized training in their individual majors.”

Big Bend is still looking host farms specifically dairy, cattle and goats.  To sign up, visit the BBCC Website.

Over 4,800 trainees have attended Big Bend Community College as part of the JATP.

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