As part of an organization that connects people with land, I believe one of our greatest opportunities is to help local farmers. Small-scale farmers care for their land with deep knowledge and attention. When we support farmers, we’re supporting both a sustainable economy and a diverse ecosystem.
Every successful farmer I know depends on resources from the United States Department of Agriculture and other government agencies. These programs help farmers buy land, purchase equipment, grow their business, and get advice from experts. Having access to these resources can mean the difference between a farm that thrives and one that struggles.
Farmers gather at the 2025 Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse.
Today, we’re celebrating the completion of a major, multi-year project to help HMoob farmers access these important resources. This project, Strengthening Support Systems for Wisconsin HMoob Farmers, was the first of its kind in Wisconsin. We connected HMoob farmers with government programs, training, and technical assistance, breaking down barriers that stood in the way.
I’m proud to highlight the work of Groundswell Community Director Yimmuaj Yang, who led this effort in partnership with FairShare CSA Coalition and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension.
Over three years, the Strengthening Support Systems for Wisconsin HMoob Farmers project built relationships with nearly 300 HMoob farmers across Wisconsin and Minnesota—more than three times the goal. The team connected with farmers at more than 20 workshops across the state through phone calls and in-person visits. It helped farmers apply for grants, tap into new markets, and attend conferences.
A field day at GreenGold Gardens in Wausau
Prior to this project, it was hard to find farming information written in HMoob or workshops that offered HMoob interpretation. That’s starting to change. Now, more resources are available in HMoob, including videos about bookkeeping, soil testing, food safety, managing vegetable diseases, and many more topics.
The team also wanted to help 20 HMoob farmers enroll in federal and state programs. By the end of the project, 62 HMoob farmers had enrolled.These programs include the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program, which bought food from small-scale farms to help communities that struggle to afford it. Other programs gave direct payments to farmers who grow vegetables or share the cost of buying equipment, like high tunnels.
Resources created during this project will be available for good. You can explore some of them on the UW-Madison Division of Extension HMoob Farmers web page.
I’ll leave you with a video tour of Frannta Lor’s farm. Frannta is a great example of how farmers can use government resources to better their farm.
Cheers,
Sam
P.S. If this work inspires you, please consider making a gift to Groundswell to keep the momentum going!