Minority Farm Operators Gather for Conference in Minnesota

By: Jim Meisenheimer

In late March, approximately 100 Hmong, Somali, and Burmese immigrant farmers gathered for the Fourth Minority and Immigrant Farming Conference. The conference was held at the Wilder Auditorium in St. Paul, Minn. The theme was how to increase profits on small farms.

The Minority and Immigrant Farming Conference began in 2005 when Farm Service Agency (FSA) Minnesota Outreach Director, Nigatu Tadesse, brought together the Association for Hmong Women in Minnesota, the Minnesota Food Association, National Resources Conservation Service, and National Agriculture Statistics Service. The groups wanted to sponsor a meeting that focused on connecting new immigrant farmers with USDA agencies. 

Glen Hill, Director at the Minnesota Food Association, said, "We wanted something more relevant for new immigrant farmers.  We wanted an opportunity before the growing season to meet and learn. The conference's purpose is to build a new generation of farmers, build a new food system, and food security.”

Sponsors for the 2009 event included the following non-USDA partners:  Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Grown, University of Minnesota Extension, Wilder Foundation, Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota, Minnesota Farmers Union, Farmers Legal Action Group Incorporated, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, and Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services.

Interpreters at the Minority and Immigrant Farming conferences.