Obama intends to nominate farmer to Nat’l Council on the Arts

David Mas Masumoto. photo by Glenn Nakamichi

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate David Mas Masumoto as a member of the National Council on the Arts on June 20.

Masumoto is an organic peach and grape farmer, author, and columnist for The Fresno Bee.

Masumoto’s books include “Epitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons on My Family Farm,” “Harvest Son: Planting Roots in American Soil,” “Heirlooms: Letters from a Peach Farmer,” “Letters to the Valley: A Harvest of Memories” and “Wisdom of the Last Farmer: Harvesting Legacies from the Land.”

According to a statement released by the Office of the Press Secretary, Masumoto’s writing awards include the Commonwealth Club Silver medal, the Julia Child Cookbook award, and the James Clavell Literacy Award. Masumoto was appointed to the board of the California Council for the Humanities, now known as Cal Humanities, in 1994, serving as co-chair from 1998 to 2001.

Masumoto also serves on the James Irvine Foundation board of directors, and the board of the Public Policy Institute of California. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and a master’s degree in community development from the University of California, Davis.

Masumoto is a third generation farmer.

“Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these individuals bring to their new roles. I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead,” Obama said in the statement.

Obama also announced his intent to nominate Polly Trottenberg as the Department of Transportation’s under secretary for policy.