<Begin Segment 26>

JS: I want to ask you, in comparison with agricultural production in Wyoming at that time, this general agricultural production in Wyoming, how would you rank Heart Mountain's agricultural production?

ES: Well, that's very difficult for me to answer that, because in different areas it varies different with the variety of the crop you grow. And according to the comment that we got from nearby towns and residents, that they were surprised what we can grow.

JS: Okay. But nothing about Heart Mountain's agricultural production was half of the total of the agricultural production in Wyoming at that time? Any, anything like that ever reach your ears as far as you can remember?

ES: Of course, we, we didn't grow the crops that Wyoming grew, other words, grain and sugar beets and corn. But whatever we grew, it really opened the eyes that we, what we can grow.

JS: Okay. Do you think there was any lasting impact on Wyoming with regard to Heart Mountain's agricultural success?

ES: Lasting...

JS: Impact?

ES: Impact?

JS: Yeah.

ES: I don't know if it made any great impact, but it certainly opened the eyes of people, residents of the area, what we can do.

JS: Okay. And then looking back, how would you evaluate your experience in the agriculture project?

ES: Well, I enjoyed it very much, because I was able to work with these Isseis and Niseis, like I said before, "Don't shoot your mouth off, just stop and listen, then open your mouth." Because there are people who are much smarter and brilliant people, but maybe actual experience on the farm might be different. But in order to communicate with the people in camp, that is the greatest asset, I think.

<End Segment 26> - Copyright © 2005 Densho and The Japanese American Museum of San Jose. All Rights Reserved.