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What You Should Know about Hmong Farmers

2015 WI Local Food Summit

January 30, 2015

Brief Hmong History

The most recent ancestry can be traced

to China.

Some scholars think the Hmong came

from Siberia

Within China’s diverse ethnic population,

the Hmong are known as Miao.

It is estimated between 6-7 million ethnic

Hmong still live in China.

Early 19th Century

The Hmong have always been on the

move because of torture, persecution and

wars

Hundreds of thousands of Hmong fled

China to Burma, Thailand, Laos and

Vietnam

Location:Southeastern of Asia

Total Area:

236,800 sq km

Area Comparative:

> Utah, < WI

Climate:

Tropical monsoon

Rainy season (May – Nov.)

Dry season (Dec. –April)

Hmong people have a long history and connection with agriculture and farming.

In Southeast Asia, the farming method most commonly practiced was ‘slash and burn’.

In Wisconsin and other states, Hmong families are major fresh vegetables/flowers producers at farmers markets.

To protect the U.S. radar in Pathin, Laos.

To block the Ho Chi Minh Trail

To rescue American pilots

May 1976 - First wave of 500 Hmong to America.

In 1980’s - Second wave of 150,000+ Hmong to America.

In 2004 - a smaller wave of Hmong refugees were resettled in the United States from WatTham Krabok.

Top Three states with the highest Hmong population:

California – 91,224

Minnesota – 66,181

Wisconsin – 49,240

The total Hmong population in the U.S.A. is 260,076

*U.S. Census Bureau ~2010, American Community Survey

Hmong Farmer

Local Hmong Community Organizations

Flyers written in Hmong and English

Repeated invitations

Letters, Hmong radio and telephone

Farmers Markets

Word-of-Mouth

Record Keeping Activities at Financial Literacy Workshop in La Crosse, WI

Hmong farmers were building the Hand-washing Station together.

Hand-washing Station at Vang CC Farm in Jefferson

Proper Hand-washing Technique at Blooming From the Heart Farm in Hatley, WI

Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) Training

Mentorship Program

Touring the 2014 Organic Farming Conference

Special Session at 2014 Organic Farming Conference

2014 Wisconsin Ginseng Growers Conference

Common Hmong Values

• Hmong language, culture and customs • Family bonding• Work hard • Respect• Accountable and responsible• Peace seeking

Cultural Considerations

• Language and literacy

• Gender roles within the culture

• Unfamiliar with rules, regulations

• Pesticide use not part of farming traditions

• Long hours and off-farm jobs

• Family labor

Tips of the Day!

• Don’t take short cuts

• Don’t jump to conclusion quickly

• Don’t use their children as your interpreter

• Don’t expect the answer(s) right away

• Don’t shake hands or huge Hmong woman unless she approaches you first

Tips of the Day!

• Work with visual aids/hand on experience

• Show respect

• Be accountable

• Use manual guide with color pictures

• Create audio and video resources

• Know a few Hmong words

Learning Hmong

Nyob Zoo! = Hello!

Kuv lub npe hu ua ... = My name is …

Ua tsaug! = Thank you!

Sib ntsib dua! = Good bye!

Suggested Books to Read on the Hmong

• Tragic Mountains by Jane Hamilton-Merritt (1993)

• Healing by Heart by Kathleen A. Culhane-Pera, M.D., M.A., and Phua Xiong, M.D. 2003

• Bamboo Among the Oaks: Contemporary Writing by Hmong, Editor Mai Neng Moua

• Hmong Men’s Adaptation to Life in the United States, Hmong Studies Journal 1(2), 1997 by Kou Yang, Ph.D.

• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman (1997)

Questions & Answers

Jack Chang

Jack ChangAg. Program Specialist Senior

WI DATCP

Jack.Chang@wisconsin.gov608-224-5050