Harbhajan Singh Takher

Harbhajan Singh Takher grew up in India and immigrated to the United States on February 18, 1950. Upon arrival, he worked for his uncle, Swarn Singh Takher, who was foreman at Border Island near Lodi, California. He lived in a labor camp and learned to communicate in English and Spanish during his time there.

Having experience working his family farm consisting of corn and wheat in India, he engaged in farm labor in the crops of corn, celery, tomatoes and asparagus with ease. The only initial hardships he experienced was adapting to the more modern methods of farming compared to those in India. He continued to work at Border Island for three years upon which time, he shifted to Yuba City to work his uncle, Swarn Singh Takher's land.

His wife, Harbhajan Kaur and son, Mukhtiar joined him in May, 1955. He continued to farm his uncle's land for the next 17 years. He then purchased 40 acres (peaches and prunes) from his uncle and became a farmer. He feels immigrating to United States afforded him more opportunities and helped him advance as a farmer. He continues to reside in Yuba City with his wife, sons (Mukhtiar, Harinder, and Harminder) and seven grandchildren.