George Tanimura was born in 1915, the oldest son of Japanese immigrants who farmed iceberg lettuce and strawberries near Castroville, California. In 1942, along with over 120,000 other Americans of Japanese ancestry, George’s family was ordered to an internment camp. When they were finally released more than 3 years later, they had nothing left.

Undaunted, the Tanimuras jumped right back into farming. By the 1950s, they had 200 acres of lettuce, all earmarked for the largest packer-shipper in the area: Bud Antle. And they kept expanding. In 1982, the Tanimuras formed an equal partnership with the Antle family, known today as Tanimura & Antle.

George has farmed for over 80 years, and he’s developed a unique perspective on how the industry has changed. In a sense, T&A’s partnership with organic grower Earthbound Farm has brought George full circle.

George believes “Things are changing. The global warming thing is worrisome. We’re using too much oil, biochemicals, we’re cutting down forests. We’re thinking too short-term.”

Most days, George still walks the fields. “I like dirt,” George says. “What else is there if I’m not out in the fields? I’d be watching television and going senile.” He smiles and shakes his head. “I’d rather keep up with the business.”

One of the world’s largest lettuce growers, Tanimura & Antle grows a variety of organic produce for Earthbound Farm.