Established at the same time as the opening of Sapporo Agricultural College
A pioneering role in the development of the Hokkaido agriculture

Our Experiment Farm, The Hokkaido University Farm, is located within the university campus.
It consists of The First Farm (35ha) located on the west side of Poplar Avenue, The Second Farm (23ha) located on the north of Kita 18-jo and Yoichi Orchard (6ha) in Yamadacho, Yoichi Town. The Farm was established at the same time as the opening of Sapporo Agricultural College in 1876 (Meiji 9), using the experiment farm in The Massachusetts Agricultural College as a model. As a model farm for large-sized agriculture, the Farm has played a pioneering role in the development of the Hokkaido agriculture, conquering the severe environmental conditions in the northern areas, such as the low temperatures in the summer, heavy snow, very low temperatures of the winter. Also many talented people have been trained here.

Cutting-edge researches in prospective of both “Productivity” and “Sustainability”

Hokkaido serves as a food base in Japan today, though from now on, agricultural output which harmonizes with the environment is called for even amidst international competition. On the other hand, the use of biomass and natural energy etc. also attract attention for the construction of a low carbon society.

In such a background, cutting-edge researches on agriculture and energy are carried out at The Hokkaido University Farm: Crop cultivation and livestock husbandry utilizing the characteristic climatic conditions of Hokkaido, the environmental improvement of agricultural field, grassland and institutions as well as genetic improvement of the bioresources in snowy-cold regions are undertaken. We conduct a total system of production and processing of agricultural and livestock products. Further we carry out researches on renewable energy, bio-refinery materials production in farmland, such as biomass crops, biogas, and pellets, etc.

The faculty members strive to contribute to the training of talented people with an awareness of the issues and problem-solving capability both from the perspective of “Sustainability”; the sustainable use of ecosystem services, in addition to the improvement in the “Productivity” as in conventional agriculture.

The Hokkaido University Farm Manager