 |
|
|
| 4/22/2009 | Email this article • Print this article | The First Certified Organic Hmong Owned CSA Garden
By Amy Doeun
|
| Mhonpaj’s mother, May, with relatives and other young gardening friends. (Amy Doeun / HMONG TIMES) |
|
Mhonpaj of Mhonpaj's Garden has been a farmer for most of her whole life. As Mhonpaj shared with HMONG TIMES she tried to escape it, looking for a more glamorous and air-conditioned job, only to find, "It all comes back to food." Two years ago she and her family launched Mhonpaj's Garden with the help of the Minnesota Food Association. Now she is offering the first certified organic Hmong owned and operated CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
Community Supported Agriculture is a model of direct sales that is good for consumers and farmers alike. Farmers get the assurance of customers throughout the growing season, often before they even plant crops. Consumers have more say in the types and varieties of food they consume as well as having access to the freshest and healthiest food possible. Mhonpaj's Garden goes a step further offering her customers certified organic produce.
Mhonpaj was quick to explain that certified organic is more then just no pesticides, it is about continuously improving the soil through crop rotation and soil inputs like compost. As the fertility of soil increases (without the addition of harsh chemical fertilizers) the nutrition level of the food increases. "I really want to educate them [her customers] on organic foods. I am not a scientist and I don't have research that says there are more pesticides on greens from California." It is very important, however, to know where your food is coming from. As an added service to her customers the farm is available for tours and customers may even choose to work the fields with the family.
For about $30 a week families who join Mhonpaj's Garden CSA will get a box of fresh, certified organic produce. The family also sells at White Bear Lake Farmers Market. They accept WIC, "Bring food vouchers and get organic vegetables."
Mhonpaj shared that they have received some negativity from the Hmong community. Mhonpaj says, "Most farmers grow mostly western vegetables and then just a small plot for them. There is very little profit with such high competition. Alternatively we want to focus on education, it's mostly about community building and education model, not profit driven."
The slogan of Mhonpaj's Garden is "Food, Fitness and Fashion." The food part is a given, but Mhonpaj and her family also feel it is important to look and feel good not only through the highest quality food but also through fitness and drinking water. "Fashion deals with self esteem, and motivation." Mhonpaj's sister is working on this end. "It's an holistic approach, you can't just say you're eating greens so you are OK. We want people to understand that we can be a resource in the Hmong community, learn how to be organic. It starts with a community. There's negativity when a person feels unhealthy. When you look good and feel good you are motivated."
"There is a balance and a lot of communities forget about it-Exercise. When we have gatherings what do we have? Deep fried foods and pork. We think we are healthy because we eat mostly greens but we need to exercise."
Slowing down and embracing a slower pace of life is also important. Mhonpaj shared, "Anyone can get started with agriculture. I went to the Moses (Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service) conference last year and met a 14 year old that was running a cattle business."
If living on a farm is not the answer for you - at least consider supporting a farmer. "I really believe agriculture and CSAs are the answer to our world poverty and hunger." Mhonpaj is taking orders for the 2009 growing season. Customers purchase a "share" of the farm for the year and receive produce from the farm through the growing season. Each family receives enough food to feed their family for the week. Prices for shares vary. For more information contact Mhonpaj at mhonpaj@gmail.com or check out the website at www.mhonpajgarden.biz.
|
|
|
|
| | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | | |
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
| 5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
| 12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
| 19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
| 26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
|
|
|
St. Paul, MN
|
