The history of Hmong farmers in California’s Central Valley speaks to the resilience and betrayal this indigenous group has faced over the decades.
Many Hmong people, who have long resided in Southeast Asia, found refuge in the United States largely due to their contributions during the Vietnam War alongside Washington.
Amidst a nine-year secret bombing campaign in Laos, the U.S. relied heavily on the Hmong for military support, utilizing them to fight against Communist forces.
“We were made a promise: ‘You help fight the Communists. If we win, you get your country. If we lose, you come to America,'” recalled Michael Yang, who was raised on a farm in Laos.
By 1975, as the war concluded, approximately 30,000 Hmong fighters lost their lives, alongside countless civilian casualties.
After the final evacuations of American personnel, the Hmong who aided the U.S. were left to face the repercussions of their involvement, often subjected to persecution or death.
Yang and his family fled their farm in Laos, undertaking a treacherous journey toward Thailand.
Navigating treacherous terrains to escape Communist soldiers, they eventually found themselves in refugee camps in Thailand, where thousands of Hmong languished for years, unable to return home.
In 1980, the Refugee Act was enacted to assist some of these Hmong refugees in resettlement efforts throughout the United States.
Today, over 1,000 Hmong small farms flourish in California’s lush Central Valley.
After years of displacement, Yang’s family finally reached the United States when he was 11, initially settling in Providence, Rhode Island, before moving to Fresno, California, where they resumed farming.
Currently, around 360,000 Hmong call the U.S. home, with a substantial proportion residing in California.
Resettlement was challenging; families were scattered across the nation, compounded by language barriers and limited education, destabilizing community support and resources.
At 56, Yang now works with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, providing Hmong farmers with crucial knowledge on health regulations, modern farming techniques, and access to assistance grants.
In recent years, federal programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program have provided essential support, compensating California farmers for cultivating food for schools and food banks serving low-income populations.
Yang views this federal initiative as a potential acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by Hmong farmers throughout their tumultuous history.
However, challenges loom on the horizon as plans by the Trump administration to cut the program threaten Hmong farmers’ livelihoods and may soon result in a significant loss of support.
When news of the impending cuts emerged, many farmers felt a familiar sting of betrayal from Washington, reminiscent of past grievances.
Specializing in crops crucial to low-income Asian American seniors, Hmong farmers play a pivotal role in food supply, and the potential loss of funding could severely impact food access in communities dependent on their produce.
Keng Vang, a Fresno-based producer and aggregating partner, emphasizes that approximately 80% of Hmong farmers’ produce is sent to urban markets such as Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, underlining their importance in meeting nutritional needs.
Research by UCLA highlights the disparities in food access faced by Asian seniors, emphasizing the role these Hmong farmers play in addressing these gaps.
Yang expresses concern about the significant impact the funding cuts would have on Hmong farmers who depend on this program.
The loss of Hmong produce could create sizable nutritional voids in major urban areas.
Vang describes the abrupt cuts as shortsighted, failing to recognize the extensive planning required for crop growth and the dedication of farmers.
Farmers often lack the language skills necessary to communicate effectively with inspectors, resulting in misunderstandings and fines related to non-compliance with regulations that clash with traditional Hmong farming practices.
Distrust toward outsiders is rooted deeply within the Hmong community, primarily due to historical experiences of discrimination and betrayal since their arrival in the U.S., a country they once defended.
Despite being a second-generation Hmong who speaks the language and has built a network within Fresno’s substantial Hmong community, Vang initially faced skepticism as he sought to support local farmers.
Through patience and consistent communication, he slowly earned trust, guiding farmers as they shifted their focus from subsistence farming to fulfilling contracts aimed at supporting local schools.
However, the announcement regarding federal aid cuts left farmers feeling vulnerable and anxious about their futures, exacerbating fears about potential negative repercussions from federal agencies.
Vang admitted he has struggled to provide clear guidance amid this uncertainty.
The history of the Hmong community reveals a cyclical pattern of misplaced trust and subsequent disappointment from federal authorities.
Hmong veterans have long sought recognition and benefits, with significant strides only made recently, such as being allowed burial in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cemeteries as of 2018.
The Refugee Act, while intended to provide assistance, also altered the definition of a refugee, complicating the immigration status for many Hmong.
Historically, the U.S. has contested this legal status for Hmong members, contributing to existing mistrust within the community.
Yang remarks on the longstanding commitment of the Hmong people, saying, “The Hmong committed their lives to help America. They want to do the right thing. They pay taxes. The government needs to help.”
As the future remains uncertain for Hmong farmers, their tenacity and rich history echo the sacrifices they have made, reminding us of the promises once made and the need for ongoing support.
image source from：https://capitalandmain.com/betrayed-again-by-washington-50-years-after-the-vietnam-war
