Interviewee: Dexter Nishiyama

Relationship to Nikkei gardeners: He and his father, Frank Nishyama, are/were both gardeners

Date: July 17, 2007

Location: Japanese American National Museum

Brief Summary: Dexter thanks his father for introducing him to gardening, a hobby and career that led him to become the Orange County Gardener's Association's youngest president.

Transcription
My name is Dexter Nishiyama, and I was the Orange County Gardener's Association's youngest president back in 1985. I served two years, and my father was a gardener. His name was Frank, and he was with Crown City Gardeners for the longest time. I remember the picnics and working with him, and just wanted to thank him for stirring me to be a gardener, because I didn't have anything else to do. [laughs] So, thanks dad.

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This interview was conducted as part of the Opening Day activities for the exhibition Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden.