Organic farmer reflects on 30 years, reminding readers of the labor of love that goes into food

As summer approaches, the season of fresh fruit is ripe and reflective for California farmer David Masumoto. After 30 years of raising organic peaches, nectarines and raisins in the San Joaquin Valley, Masumoto gives the Los Angeles Times a perspective on such a life: the patience and hard work, the hopes and dreams of people embedded in the land, and a reminder to urbanites of the work that goes into their food. Any newspaper, even a rural one, could use an article like this one. (Photo by Gary Kazanjian)

For Masumoto, the longer days of late spring mean more time to worry about crops and weather, funds and flavor. "My blood pressure rises with the temperature," he writes. "Each dark cloud on the horizon has my name written on it. We need rain but not too much; the orchards will love a cleansing shower, but that, in turn, will cause mildew to grow in the grapevines. I can't help but think of the worst and anticipate things will go wrong. It's part of my daily work ritual."

As harvest looms closer, farmers collect their apprehension in a "poker game of 'all in' and bank on their labor for success," the farmer foresees. Amid the ripe fruit that gives him purpose, Masumoto is concerned about the recession and market prices for his crops, discovering once again that "Farming requires sacrifices, most often of ourselves." (Read more).