This story is based on an interview originally conducted by Growing Produce Group Editor Melinda Taschetta-Millane.
Fourth-generation pear grower Lesley Tamura is carrying forward more than a family farming operation — she’s stewarding a legacy rooted in resilience, leadership, and advocacy. At Tamura Orchards in Oregon’s Hood River Valley, Tamura works alongside her father on the family’s 42-acre pear orchard, growing Green Anjou, Bosc, and Red Anjou pears on land first planted by her great-grandfather after immigrating from Japan in the early 1900s.
Her family’s history includes loss of land, the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, and rebuilding in the face of discrimination. Today, Tamura honors that history by ensuring the orchard’s future remains strong, sustainable, and visible to the broader public.
Before returning to the orchard, Tamura spent nearly a decade as a sixth-grade dual-language teacher. Burnout — and the realization that she might miss her chance to continue the family farm — led her back to agriculture, where she quickly embraced the realities of a role that requires adaptability, humility, and hands-on leadership. From managing labor and compliance to overseeing frost protection and harvest logistics, her days reflect the complex, interconnected nature of modern specialty crop production.
Beyond the orchard, Tamura serves as vice-chair of the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers, advocating for growers navigating increasingly complex regulatory environments and working to improve public understanding of agriculture. She also lends her voice in policy discussions at the state level, helping ensure farmers’ perspectives are heard.
As the world prepares for the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026, Tamura’s story reflects both the challenges women face in agriculture and the power of community, mentorship, and persistence. Her message to other women entering the industry is clear: ask questions, build your team, and don’t let uncertainty — or imposter syndrome — stand in the way of progress.
Rooted in history and focused on the future, Tamura Orchards stands as a testament to the evolving role of women in agriculture and the strength it takes to carry a legacy forward. Read more about Tamura Orchards on Growing Produce.
