Tanaka Farms: A Japanese-American Farming Legacy

What is the legacy of Japanese American farmers in shaping California’s agricultural landscape? How did a community once barred from owning land become pioneers in strawberry and vegetable farming? And how did families like the Tanakas endure displacement, incarceration, and prejudice to rebuild—and ultimately thrive?

John and Patrick are joined by special guest Glen Tanaka, whose family has been farming in California for generations. Together, they trace the journey of Japanese Americans who transformed the agricultural landscape of the West Coast — from small tenant plots to thriving family enterprises — and the immense challenges they faced along the way.

How did these farmers turn discrimination into determination? What became of their farms during internment? And how has Glen Tanaka and his family continued this legacy through innovation, education, and agritourism today?

In this episode, John and Patrick explore the remarkable story of Japanese American farmers — a story of endurance, identity, and the deep cultural roots that continue to nourish American agriculture.