Early 1900’s
Grandparents immigrate from Japan
Masumoto’s (father’s side) from Kumamoto, Japan
Sugimoto’s (mother’s side) from Hiroshima, Japan
Families work in the Fresno area
Masumotos often near Selma
Sugimotos in the Fowler area
1942-46
Masumoto/Sugimoto families forced relocation/evacuation to Gila River Relocation Center, located in the deserts of Arizona.
1948
Joe Takashi Masumoto marries Carole Yukino Sugimoto
Buys first property 40 acres of grapes, muscats, plums, peaches and nectarines
1954
Mas born, youngest of three
1960’s
Tak Masumoto and brother Alan Masumoto farm together as partners
1964
Purchase adjoining 40 acre farm from Riffel family. Total 80 acres.
1968
Plant Sun Crest peach orchard (about 3 acres)
1972
Mas runs away from farm to UC Berkeley for college
1974-75
Mas lives in Japan studying and eventually journeying to Kumamoto area to live in the village of his grandparents and work on their rice farm.
1976
Masumoto returns and graduates from UC Berkeley in sociology.
1976 and 78
Rains destroy entire raisin crops
1979-81
Masumoto attends and graduates from UC Davis in the Masters program called Community Development. Meets Marcy while in graduate school.
1981
Mas buys 40 acres from father
1983 Mas marries Marcy Thieleke who grew up on a goat dairy in the high deserts of southern California in Apple Valley. Her parents were from Wisconsin.
1985
Nikiko (a daughter) born in November.
1985
One of the worst years for the small farm – prices extremely low. Mas sells 23 pound boxes of his best peaches for 50 cents/box.
Late 1980’s
Mas begins to farm organically
1987
Mas begins to certify farm as organic with CCOF (Calif Certified Organic Farmers).
1991
Korio (a son) is born in July during record-breaking heat of 100 degree days.
1993
Masumoto family farm sells their best peaches to Chez Panisse.
1995
Masumoto Family Farm fruit label created
1997
Masumoto’s Sun Crest peach nominated to Slow Food Ark of Taste
2004
Begin Elberta Peach Tree Adoption program.
2007
Nikiko Masumoto talks of becoming a farmer and begins her apprenticeship.
2008
Masumoto Family Farm celebrates 40 years of the Sun Crest Peach orchard.