Big Bend Community College conducts Phase I and Phase II Training for all trainees in the two-year program. The College also provides initial orientation and training for Phase I Training for the one-year program and since 1995 has conducted the Phase I Training for the Hawaii Program. Furthermore, since 1990, Big Bend Community College has conducted the initial orientation session for the Extension Agent Program. Trainees arrive in the United States in mid-June 2. Trainees receive five weeks of instruction in English as a Second Language and an Introduction to American Culture at Big Bend Community College 3.
Trainees work three months on farms in the Northwest United States, e.g. fruit orchards, etc.
Trainees return to BBCC around November 1st for seven weeks of instruction in English as a Second Language and Introduction to American Agriculture 5. The trainees take a two-week tour of the U.S. before returning to Seattle for a closing ceremony and their return trip to Japan. The size of the groups range from 77 to 189 and is determined in Japan where the trainees are selected by the JAEC with help from the Prefecture governments and farm agencies. Many have worked, or are working in third world countries in Peace Corp type programs. The farm situation and the economy, both in Japan and the United States, contribute to the program's degree of success in recruiting trainees and host farmers.