The Story of the People on This Land

1954 Fujioka lingonberry and strawberry crops with farm buildings in background

First Peoples

The first people of Vashon Island were the sx̌ʷəbabs or Swift Water People who lived here since time immemorial. This land was taken from the sx̌ʷəbabs and they were forcibly removed onto reservations including the Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island and Muckleshoot.

We acknowledge the people of the Puyallup Tribe whose stewardship of and relationship with Vashon-Maury Island continues today. We commit to amplify the voices of indigenous people and believe this land can be equitably shared.

  • sx̌ʷəbabs (Swiftwater People) sign designed by Puyallup Tribe artist Daniel Baptista and distributed by the Vashon Heritage Museum and the Vashon Maury Island Land Trust.

  • 1950s irrigation pond today a healthy habitat surrounded and shaded by native plants and shrubs.

  • Over 2000 native evergreens planted as part of forest restoration.

  • Native forest on restoration journey

1900–2014: The Fujioka Family

Sadaji and Tsune Fujioka emigrated from Japan to Vashon Island in the early 1900s. They farmed on this property in the 1930s, then moved mid-island at the time the entire family was forcibly imprisoned during WWII. Only Sadaji, Tsune, their eldest son Tashio and their youngest daughter returned to Vashon after the war and purchased this 23.9 acres in 1952 and continued to farm.

The Fujioka family grew strawberries and lingonberries commercially. In 1954 and 1955, Tashio Fujioka was recognized by the state as one of just five Washington farmers to grow over 5 tons of strawberries per acre (over 63 thousand pounds across his then 5.5 acres in production). The family also grew vegetables and planted perennials that are still being harvested today including fuki and apples.

In 1955, Tashio Fujioka purchased a new Dodge one-ton truck for the family’s thriving strawberry farm. Although Tashio stopped farming in the 1970s and went to work at the Vashon post office, he continued to take meticulous care of his farm truck. After moving into a nursing home in 2006, the truck was sold. After changing hands a few times, the truck ended up with professional mechanic Bob Morton and his wife Theresa. Because of its excellent condition, Mr. Morton did only the repairs necessary to maintain the truck and keep it safe and reliable on the road. As he told Vintage Truck magazine in a 2019 article, “When you walk up to this truck and walk around and look at it, it just feels authentic, because it is. Yeah, some things have been done to keep it safe and reliable, but it’s the real deal.” Brown, Candace, Green Bean: Bob Morton’s 1955 Dodge C1-D6 is remarkably untouched by time!, Vol. 27, No. 5, p. 55. In 2024, Forest Garden Farm was able to acquire the truck from the Morton family with the support of Fujioka family descendants, the Vashon Maury Heritage Association, Bruce Haulman and Benno Bonkowski.

Because of the Fujioka family’s long history here including significant improvements to the farmability of the land, being incarcerated during WWII and returning to become award winning strawberry farmers, we are seeking landmark status to honor all those who have called this land home. The King County Historic Preservation Program recently described the property as: “an exceptional resource that represents the changing nature of agricultural production in the 20th century, both before and after the war, particularly for Japanese American farmers.” If you knew Tashio Fujioka or the Fujioka Family or have memories of this property, we would love to hear from you!

  • The Fujioka Family 1932 in front of the still-standing 1914 Plank House.

  • Tsune and Sadaji Fujioka 1959 in front of the Fujioka Farm House.

  • Tashio Fujioka 1958 weed-cultivating strawberries with his International Harvester Cub tractor.

  • Washington State Award to Tashio Fujioka 1955 for growing over 5 tons of strawberries per acre.

  • Tashio Fujioka 1955 with his new Dodge farm truck.

  • The Fujioka 1955 Dodge lovingly restored by Bob and Theresa Morton.

  • Fuki planted by Tsune Fujioka still being harvested today.

2014–Today: Forest Garden Farm

We purchased the property from the Fujioka family in 2014 and began building our organic farm. We also set about restoring the surrounding forest to native evergreens with guidance from the WSU Forest Stewardship Program and KCD. Besides growing nutrient-rich fruit, vegetables and flowers for our community, we are committed to working towards environmental, cultural and financial sustainability.

  • Our talented and dedicated work crew who make this farm possible.

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    We are grateful for the huge of amounts of time and support contributed by our families, friends and volunteers!

  • The boss lends a hand at the farmers market.

  • Photo of Lisa and Chris taken in 2021 by Sadaji and Tsune Fujioka’s great grandson Trent mirroring the 1959 photograph of them in the same location.

  • Big thanks to our community who shop at our farmstand and market booth and show up for events like the Vashon Center for the Arts Garden Tour in 2023.

  • We volunteer with VIGA's Food Access Partnership which raises money so all in our community can get locally grown food.

  • Our island farm and community service mentors have helped us reach our goals and keep us working towards a better world.

  • We partner with other community organizations trying to save the world through farming including Vashon Bioenergy Farm and Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association.

  • We are grateful to regenerative farming supporters like David Pfieffer and Merkaba Earth Foundation and to all our fellow island farmers for building our agricultural economy.

  • The vibrant coalition of farmers in our VIGA community has been an amazing source of guidance, knowledge and support.

  • We advocate for government support of regenerative agriculture - Lisa pictured after testifying in Olympia in support of the Sustainable Farm and Fields SB 5947.