Heart Mountain incarcerees had many successes with farming. First, they completed the Shoshone Irrigation Project, which provided the much needed water for agriculture. The initial harvest in autumn of 1943 produced more than 1,000 tons of vegetables and fruits. In 1944, they harvested 2,500 tons, and the Heart Mountain Sentinel proclaimed that the "Food needs of 10,000 residents raised largely by own efforts."

Those confined at Heart Mountain grew watermelon, cantaloupe, carrots, cabbage, beans, peas, as well as other fruits and vegetables. In addition, they raised pigs, cattle, and chickens. It was said that Heart Mountain was one of the most successful agricultural programs of all the Japanese internment camps.

Read "Farm Activities Transform Barren Land" on pages 14-15 of the August 12, 1944 Heart Mountain Sentinel special edition.

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Heart Mountain incarcerees raised pigs, cattle, and chickens. Photo circa 1944.

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Watching the water flow through Highline Ditch Canal at Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Wyoming, June 5, 1943.

Second page of "Farm Activities Transform Barren Land" on pages 14-15 of the August 12, 1944 Heart Mountain Sentinel special edition.

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Planting a garden at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, sketch by Estelle Ishigo.

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Heart Mountain Relocation Center farming area, sketch by Estelle Ishigo.

Image Credits

All Estelle Ishigo drawings are from 1942-1945 at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, courtesy of the American Heritage Center. See more in the AHC's Estelle Ishigo digital collection. Photographs from the digital collections at the AHC. Newspaper images are from Wyoming Newspapers.

Copyright notice: Digitized collection materials are accessible for educational and personal research purposes.

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