2. Hmong Farmers

Location:

• Lancaster, MA

Why interesting: 

• The Hmong are an ethnic group from Asia that have their own language (Hmong) and culture.  Originally they are from what is now China, but over generations have immigrated to Southeast Asian countries.  The majority of the Hmong in the US are from the uplands of Laos.  They assisted the US during the war and thus were persecuted as a result.  This allowed many to immigrate to the US. The farmers who are farming in Lancaster are a part of a community who live in the nearby city of Fitchburg. They have been farming in this location for the past 20 years and grow Asian vegetables almost exclusively. The Hmong are marketing their produce through a wholesaler, area ethnic stores and in 12 of the Boston area farmers markets.

Common feature:

• All the farmers are Hmong who grow almost exclusively Asian vegetables.

Type(s) & numbers of participants (farmers, suppliers, processing units, etc.):

• Types:             8 small farmers (1-4 acres each)
• Numbers:         50 micro farmers (1/4 to 1/2 acre each)
• Farmers Markets: 12

Where in life cycle/brief history:

• The Hmong have been farming in Lancaster since 1984, all farmers started as micro farmers. Today eight have evolved into commercial farmers who rely on their farming activities for substantial part of their income.

Key contacts:

• Nou Yang
• Vang Mee Yang

Liaison:
Maria Moreira
Departmental Assistant
Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences
French Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Phone: 413-545-1178
Cell: 978-815-2199
Email: mmoreira@umext.umass.edu