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INVESTIGATOR: Kong-Thao, K. S.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
HMONG NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INC.
1628 16TH ST NW # 203
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 20009

HMONG AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING AND EDUCATION (HASTE)

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The goal of the Hmong Agricultural Sustainability Training and Education (HASTE) Program is to enhance the long-term viability and sustainability of Hmong beginning farms and ranchers (BFRs) and facilitate the success of the next generation of Hmong BFRs through education, training, and technical assistance. The HASTE program is a collaborative effort by Hmong National Development (HND) and EnSave, Inc. (EnSave), who have over 40 years of combined experience serving BFRs.Three objectives support the program goal: 1) increase awareness of financial assistance opportunities amongst Hmong BFRs, and provide them with the resources and knowledge necessary to utilize them; 2) enhance profitability and sustainability of Hmong BFRs through improved natural resource planning and management relating to energy, water, fertilizer, and soil; and 3) strengthen communication and collaboration between Hmong BFRs and key agricultural stakeholders, and mitigate entry barriers for new farmers.The entire federal budget requested for the HASTE program is allocated to serving an estimated 400-500 socially disadvantaged Southeast Asian BFRs. Program activities include workshops (24 annually), conference calls and webinars (12 annually), developing curriculum and educational materials, and conducting farm energy audits (85 total, with approximately 28 each year). Improving cash flow of BFRs through farm input reductions (e.g. energy, water, and fertilizer) is a primary strategy of the program. The HASTE program is a standard project that supports numerous BFRDP priority topics, including natural resource planning education, curriculum development, and providing resources and referrals.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the HASTE program is to enhance the long term availability and sustainability of Hmong beginning farmers and ranchers and facilitate the success of the next generation through education mentoring and technical assistance. The project emphasizes stabilizing distressed farm operations, and advancing business practices to generate wealth.The HASTE program will support the primary goal of a BFDRP Standard Grant by addressing underserved and disadvantaged demographic of beginning farmers, enhancing their sustainability through providing education on best management practices, improving cash flow through reducing farm overhead costs, and providing them with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to leverage financial assistance opportunities to improve the profitability of their operations.The program objectives are as follows:Objective 1: increase awareness of financial assistance opportunities amongst Hmong BFRs, and provide them with the resources and knowledge necessary to utilize them;Objective 2: enhance profitability and sustainability of Hmong BFRs through improved natural resource planning and management relating to energy, water, fertilizer, and soil; andObjective 3: strengthen communication and collaboration between Hmong BFRs and key agricultural stakeholders, and mitigate entry barriers for new farmers.