Losing a valued member of the campus community

Dr. Dwight Minami connected students to the Central Valley's produce community for over 40 years

(October 6, 2020) -- The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology passes along its condolences to family, friends, colleagues and former students of Dr. Dwight Douglas Minami who passed away at the age of 76 on September 20.

The retired agricultural business faculty member taught classes from 1975 to 2018, and his extensive contacts and deep knowledge of the Central Valley agriculture industry created many internship and employment opportunities for students and alumni.

He was born in Chicago where his parents were able to relocate after their government-forced incarceration at Poston War Relocation Center (Arizona) following the issuance of Executive Order 9066.

After World War II, the family returned to Reedley and established Wm. Minami Packing Co. which grew, packed, marketed and shipped stone fruit. After receiving his undergraduate degree from UC Davis and receiving its Outstanding Graduate in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Management Award, he joined the family farming operation and handled marketing and sales, and eventually managed the business.

He received his master’s and doctoral degrees from UC Davis, and joined the Fresno State department of agricultural economics faculty in 1975 as a part-time lecturer and accepted a full-time tenure track appointment in 1994.

His true passion was teaching, as he taught more than ten different courses that included farm agricultural economics research methods, agricultural marketing analysis, agricultural management, advanced production economics, intermediate agriculture economics, management analysis, operations research, price forecasting analysis, price theory analysis and public policy in agriculture. 

Minami was active in many organizations representing the nation's leading agriculture area. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the California Grape & Tree Fruit League (now the California Fresh Fruit Association) and the California Tree Fruit Agreement. He also served on the California Table Grape Workers Scholarship Program Committee from 1993 to 2014.

Among other honors, he received the Farm Bureau Award for Potential Leadership, an NDEA Fellowship, an Excellence in Published Research Award from the Western Agricultural Economics Association, and the Meritorious Performance and Professional Practice Award from Fresno State. He also served as a panelist and instructor at the state-sponsored Family Farm Conference. 

As an active explorer and hiker, he trekked most of the major trails in Yosemite National Park and explored nature throughout the western United States. He was an avid sports fan, particularly following the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and the Golden State Warriors.

Dwight was predeceased by his parents and son, Philip. He is survived by his son Christopher, brother Steven (Jan), nephews Jason (Wendi) and Darren, and grandnieces and grandnephews Owen, Willa, Neko, Will and Margot. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and with concern for the safety of family and friends, a small family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Yosemite Conservancy or in support of the Fresno State agricultural business department and its students at the bottom of this AG ONE IN REMEMBRANCE PAGE.