60 days to 1 year

Less than 60 days, please see "visitors page"

If you feel that you want to work and live together with people from many different countries, why don't you come to work at ARI as a volunteer?  We need your talents, skills, songs, thoughts, laughter, and hard work.  So please come and join us in our pursuit to build an environmentally healthy, just and peaceful world.

Who are the ARI Volunteers?
Volunteers are an integral part of the ARI community, growing and working alongside our participants and staff.  There are usually ten to twelve volunteers from Japan and around the globe who live and work at ARI for 60 days up to one year.  Christian in inspiration but ecumenical in practice, ARI welcomes people of all faiths, races, classes and professions to learn and work together.

If you are not able to make such a long commitment there are many additional opportunities to come serve at ARI.  We also have volunteers to help with special events, such as the Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration each year.  ARI is always looking for commuting volunteers from within Japan, where caring individuals donate their talents in their free time.

What do Volunteers do?
Our dedicated volunteers support the training of our participants by living and working at ARI.  They live simply and work humbly, but find great rewards in their time.  Their hard work offers volunteers a chance to grow as individuals, as leaders and as valuable community members.

We ask that volunteers be ready for challenges and physically demanding work. Volunteers work from 6:30 in the morning and often work on Saturday mornings.  Living within a diverse community can sometimes be frustrating.  While volunteers are an important part of ARI, they serve in a purely supportive role, often putting the needs of others before themselves.

Despite all the hard work, volunteers also have a lot of fun.  Volunteers make lasting friendships and have a large impact on our international community.  For every hardship here we have twice as much joy.

Volunteer areas
Volunteers assist with the ARI training program in many ways.  Volunteers may request to work in certain areas and may change working sections from time to time, but will be assigned to a job that fulfills the current needs of ARI and best supports the training program.  Work assignments are often determined by previous experience or skills of the volunteer, but people from all walks of life are welcomed.

Some specific working sections available to volunteers include livestock, crops and vegetables, office work, IT, meal service preparation and food processing.

Livestock
Livestock volunteers will help care for all animals at ARI.  Volunteers may be asked to assist in the Cow, Pig, Poultry or Fish sections.  Cow section cares for a small number of cows and produces around 6,000kg of milk a year.  The pig section helps rear around 10 to 20 pigs at any time for meat.  The pig section additionally produces biogas.  Chickens and ducks are part of the poultry section. ARI can produce as many as 500 chicken eggs a day and livestock volunteers help in both caretaking of the animals and preparing eggs for market.

Crops and Vegetables
Volunteers in Crops and Vegetables help produce all vegetables consumed at ARI. There are over 60 different varieties of vegetables and we produce around 8 tons of rice and about 2 tons of wheat a year.  Most vegetables are consumed on campus but ARI also markets rice and vegetables in the local community, on-line shop (Japanese only) and in local fairs and bazaars.

Meal Service
ARI produces nearly 80% of all the food consumed on campus.  Meal Service workers help prepare healthy and simple meals for up to 60 people or more a day. Every menu includes a wide variety of tastes and Meal Service staff gets a chance to learn different cooking techniques, by preparing food with people from all over the world.

Food Processing
Food Processing volunteers help prepare foods for sale made from ingredients harvested at ARI.  This section not only generates a small income for ARI but also allows us to share our vision of sustainable and organic agriculture with many people.  The type of food products will vary due to availability, but we regularly make bread, jam, cookies, soybean processed foods and dried vegetables.

Office Work
Volunteers working in the office may be assigned to a specific section but may have a variety of tasks.  Some sections include Admissions, Ecumenical Relations, Public Relations, Computer System Administration and the Library. Office assignments are usually appointed with regard to previous work experience or specialized skills.

Other talents
We are always looking for people with experience working in livestock, crops and vegetables, and meal service.  However we are also constantly in need of people with other additional talents such as:

• maintenance
• mechanics and small engine repair
• carpentry
• computer systems
• musical ability
• photography and all art
• medical knowledge
• cooking
• gardening
• cleaning and organization skills
• desktop publishing (Illustrator)
• website management

Expense
ARI will pay the cost of boarding in a double occupancy dormitory room for all volunteers staying over 60 days.  Housing for married couples or those with children may be available on request.  We ask that volunteers spend their early months living on campus, but if you would prefer an off-campus housing arrangement, ARI will assist you in finding something suitable that fits your budget.

We ask that volunteers contribute 30,000 yen per month to cover their food costs.  This fee can be waived if necessary.  Volunteers are also expected to provide their own lunch on Sundays.

Transportation costs are paid for by the volunteer.  Please budget around 5500 yen for a one-way trip to Narita Airport.  At ARI you can rent a bicycle for local transportation, and local trains are easily available.  The closest train station is approximately 15 minutes by bicycle.  There are some shopping centers where almost any daily necessities are available.

How to apply
Please contact us for a volunteer application at ecu@ari-edu.org.  You will need to provide a completed application form, a letter of recommendation, a health certificate and one passport photograph.

ARI does not provide visa support for volunteers and you will be required to obtain a proper visa on your own.  To that end, we recommend that volunteers looking to serve for an extended period travel to ARI with the support of another organization, such as with your church or through a college program.  This will ensure that you have sufficient support during your stay at ARI.

Things to bring
Many of the items that you will need for daily life at ARI can be easily purchased in Japan.  ARI operates a small secondhand boutique on campus where you may purchase used clothing for 50 yen per item.

When packing, please remember that you will need working clothes you can get dirty. While the summers and autumns can be particularly hot you may wish to pack long sleeves for protection from bugs and itchy work, such as harvesting.  If you are particularly large or small you may want to consider bringing working gloves, shoes and boots or rainwear.  You may also wish to pack a nice outfit for church or special events; however life at ARI is very casual and this is country living.  Please pack light!  (ie... don’t bring many clothes.)  Please also consider that you will be working with many different cultures.  Modest clothing is highly recommended and what is modest to a ‘westerner’ may not be modest to other cultures.

In addition, please keep in mind that you will often be required to remove your shoes before entering any of the ARI buildings on campus, so bring shoes that are easy to slip on and off.  While slippers are available you may wish to bring your own slippers for use in the common areas, such as the Koinonia dining hall or your dorm room, especially if you have particularly large or small feet.

Please bring your own towels and wash cloths.  If you are traveling from within Japan we ask you to provide your own bed sheets and pillow cover due to limited bed clothing.  You will be asked to use biodegradable soap and shampoo, which are available at our ARI shop.

ARI asks that you bring all necessary documents for your stay, especially a copy of your health insurance certificate or health insurance information.  Copies of other basic information, such as addresses or other contact information, is recommended.  Depending upon your country of origin and length of stay you may wish to procure an international driving permit before arrival.  Please contact us with any questions.

You may also wish to bring something special from your home or community to share with others at ARI, especially traditional or native crafts, an instrument you play, or photographs of your family and friends.  Most importantly, we ask that you bring an open heart, laughter, songs, talents, and be ready to join us in hard work!

Volunteer FAQ

• Do I have to be Christian to come to ARI? 

No, but you have to have a commitment to its central objective "That We May Live Together".  ARI is an ecumenical family, coming from and respecting many different faith traditions.  It views God as the "Ground of Being", the Creator and nurturer of all Creation.  Christian in origin, it is rooted in the spirit of Jesus, who came as one that serves.

• I have never been on a farm. Is it okay to not have any agriculture experience?

At ARI we ALL learn by doing! As long as you're willing to work and get your hands dirty, you'll fit right in.

• Can I learn Japanese at ARI?

Yes, of course! But it is truly depending upon your will. There is no systematic curriculum for volunteers to learn Japanese (although there may be some optional Japanese class inside and outside ARI), but there are tons of opportunities for you to study Japanese. There are many Japanese native speakers and Japanese language learners who attend regular Japanese classes in the neighboring town.

• How much money will I need? Can I easily access my home funds?

No problem. There are ATM’s at the 7/11 Stores near ARI and in town.  The ATM's at the Japan Post Office in Nishinasuno will even speak to you in English as they dispense Yen drawn from your home bank account.  For budgeting, consider the following monthly expenses:  lunch every Sunday, snacks from the grocery store (all meals accept Sunday lunch are provided, however, you may wish to buy snacks and fruit), sundries, travel expenses when away from ARI visiting the local community or seeing other places in Japan, money for going out for meals and other activities off campus, for example:  karoke, onsen, movies, rock climbing, etc.

• Can my friends or family visit me while I am at ARI?

Yes, they are welcome!  All you need to do is to contact the person in charge of guest visits and reserve a room for them.  Your family or friends need to pay for food and lodging according to the set rate.  The rates are different depending on how your friends or family want to stay at ARI:  as visitors or working visitors. You may not be able to share your room with your family if you already share your room with someone. 

• Can I get college credit, or meet my national service requirement at ARI?