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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
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)
