Meet the People Behind the Berry…
AG Kawamura
Tell us about your background...
I grew up in Orange County and am a third generation produce grower and shipper. My father grew lettuce, celery, cantaloupe, green beans, squash and cabbage. Today I grow strawberries, celery, green beans and some specialty crops. I majored in comparative literature at U.C. Berkeley. I also speak Spanish fluently, which helps me on the job.
How has farming in Orange County changed since your father's time?
The area itself has changed a lot. Orange County has changed from having a rural to an urban interface. Development is a big business in Orange County and we are now almost entirely made up of new, urban surroundings. As a result, we can't pretend we're farming alone in an isolated area anymore because we're not. We as farmers need to show the communities we live in how we are an industry that is an asset to the area. That's why outreach activities are so important to me.
What do you like best about farming?
I like the fact that I work within nature and I like working with people in agriculture. I also like the fact that there is tremendous room for creativity in farming. There is a careful balance of art and science involved.
What do you like the best about people who work in agriculture?
They are hard working people with a good work ethic. Also, there is a lot of humility in farming. You can be a great farmer and do everything right and still be at the mercy of Mother Nature. There is a lot of help out there for the farmer, though. We had some plants at my field that were not doing so well. We did a soil analysis and found out what was wrong so that we were better able to prepare the soil and when we did that, the plants thrived. Problem solved. When you think about the fact that the consequence of complete crop loss is famine, that puts farming into perspective about the tremendous responsibility we have as farmers.
I understand you are involved in a Teacher Ambassador Program?
I feel that education is extremely important. A strong understanding of agriculture can help us understand the world around us. The Teacher Ambassador Program is coordinated by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. The program promotes increased awareness among school children by teaching the importance of agriculture to students and teachers throughout California's educational system. Teacher ambassadors travel to Ag in the Classroom conferences to learn about agriculture and obtain classroom materials and lesson plans. The program gives teachers the opportunity to visit farms and bring agriculture back to their own schools and classrooms.
What aspect of your job takes up most of your time?
Probably outreach activities. As I mentioned, agriculture is important to me and teaching others about it is important. Marketing, local politics, global politics, technologies and science are all part of an average day for me, which is why no two days are exactly the same.
How do you spend your free time?
Music is a very important influence in my life. I enjoy listening to music and playing the piano and guitar.
What is the most important advice you can give to someone who wants to go into farming?
Have a marketing plan in place because your marketing research should drive your production. Don't grow something just because you think you can grow it. Recognize that it is one thing to grow it and another thing to harvest, handle, transport and sell.
