Changing Season: A Father, A Daughter, A Family Farm

by David Mas Masumoto, Nikiko Masumoto

How do you become a farmer? The real questions are: What kind of person do you want to be? Are you willing to change? How do you learn? What is your vision for the future? In this poignant collection of essays, Epitaph for a Peach author David Mas Masumoto gets ready to hand his eighty-acre organic farm to his daughter, Nikiko, after four decades of working the land. Echoing Nikiko’s words that “all of the gifts I have received from this life are not only worthy of sharing, but must be shared,” Mas reflects on topics as far ranging as the art of pruning, climate change, and the prejudice his family faced during and after World War II: essays that, whether humorous or heartbreaking, explore what it means to pass something on. Nikiko’s voice is present too, as she relates the myriad lessons she has learned from her father in preparation for running the farm as a queer mixed-race woman. Both farmers feel less than totally set for the future that lies ahead; indeed, Changing Season addresses the uncertain future of small-scale agriculture in California. What is unquestionable, though, is the family’s love for their vocation—and for each other.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Parenting, Food

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2016

About the author

David "Mas" Masumoto is an organic peach and grape farmer and author of Epitaph for a Peach (1995), which offers a glimpse of life on a family farm in Central California, Letters to the Valley, A Harvest of Memories (2004), Four Seasons in Five Senses, Things Worth Savoring (2003), and Harvest Son, Planting Roots in American Soil (1998). His organic farming techniques have been employed by farmers across the nation.

Masumoto earned his B.A. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. in community development 1982 from the University of California, Davis. He is the winner of the UC Davis “Award of Distinction” from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2003. He was a founding member of California Association of Family Farmers. He has served on the California Tree Fruit Agreement research board and has been a member of the Raisin Advisory Committee research board.

Masumoto and his wife have two children. They reside in an 90 year old farmhouse surrounded by their vineyards and orchards just outside of Del Rey, California which is 20 miles south of Fresno.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite high school English teachers was a champion of local authors and spoke reverentially of David Mas Masumoto. I’m so pleased to have finally discovered his writing for myself. I have been missing out! He is a wonderful crafter of stories. Reading this collaboration, written with his equally talented daughter, was like taking a visit back home and back through time. His love for the Central Valley, for family, and for the art of farming warmed my heart and fed my soul.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this collection of essays from organic peach grower David Mas Masumoto, the book does not have the impact and cohesion of Masumoto's first brilliant work, Epitaph for a Peach, published about 20 years ago. This book was written as a companion to the PBS documentary "Changing Season" that chronicled the Masumoto family's transition as daughter Nikiko gradually takes over the running of the peach farm in central California. It is a sensitive topic and the Masumoto family is to be commended for allowing the public to share in their challenges as they make these personal decisions. Most farmers, like Masumoto, prefer privacy but daughter Nikiko believes it is important for modern farmers to connect with their "food users" and with her encouragement, the family makes compromises and works together in this new approach. The best part of the book is the respect and love shown between father and daughter as they come to understand each other more and ultimately agree that whatever is best for the farm they love is how they will base their decisions. Nikiko effectively expresses her ideas in "field notes" adding depth to the father-daughter dialogue. A thoughtful read.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Masumoto family has been of interest to me since I first read about their produce in Gourmet magazine (or the NYT) many many years ago. This is a wonderful book that foodies, those with an interest in farming, or those just interested in a good, well written story should read. Thanks for the Giveaway.

[Bonnie Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found a new nonfiction writer to follow. Mas Matsumoto writes with grace about peaches, farming, family, and life in general. I really enjoyed this book, and I plan to read more of his work.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bookworms
A series of essays by an organic peach farmer and his daughter from California. Not sure what we are going to discuss about this one. Not really a discussion book in my opinion.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of a farmer’s reflections and information about organic peach farming in California. Read this for Bookworms.

[katinameow · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful memoir and collection of essays. Such a pleasant, albeit sometimes melancholy, read. Also, I want some peaches.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Read in August 2021: https://hollograms.blogspot.com/2021/...

[Tif]

DNF this just wasn’t for me.

[Katta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely collection of essays reflecting on farm life, family, and living in the Central Valley.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book via Goodreads Giveaway. - I enjoyed reading about this family and their farm. It is great to see that their are still small family farms focusing on quality food over quantity harvested. It was also nice to read about how the traditions are passed from one generation to the next.