New Immigrant Agriculture Project
Contact Name & Title: Glen Hill
Address: 14220 “B” Ostlund Trail North
City, State & Zipcode: Marine on St Croix – May, Minnesota 55047
Phone: (651) 433-3676
Email: glenhill@mnfoodassociation.org
Web Address: www.mnfoodassociation.org
Project Description:
A farmer prepares
the ground for
planting at NIAP’s
Agricultural
Training
Center.
The New Immigrant Agriculture Project (NIAP) is an outgrowth of working
with the legal immigrant community following Welfare Reform. After
three years of contracting with local Minnesota farmers to grow food
for legal immigrants removed from the Food Stamp Program, the Minnesota
Food Association (MFA) launched the New Immigrant Agriculture Project
in 1998 as a means for new immigrants to grow food both for their own
families, and to sell at market. USDA’s Farm Service Agency funded MFA
to launch the NIAP and during the first three years to work with
Southeast Asian (particularly Hmong), Hispanic/Latino, and West African
(particularly Somali) immigrants. Over the subsequent three years the
NIAP has continued to work with immigrants from all three communities,
while also publishing a farm business management curriculum, Breaking
New Ground. In 2004, MFA launched the Agricultural Training Center at
Wilder Forest, including the May Farm CSA, as a place to provide a full
array of education and training opportunities for new immigrants
interested in agriculture as a career and/or lifestyle. NIAP
anticipates that in 2006, 10-15 farmers will grow on a minimum of three
acres each and will successfully complete year-long classes on farm
business management. Additionally, more than 30 microfarmers will grow
on a half-acre each for family consumption and market, and upwards of
40 community gardeners will grow on smaller parcels.
Mission: To build a more sustainable food system in Minnesota.
Sponsoring Organization: Minnesota Food Association
Immigrant Communities Served: Hmong and other Southeast Asian farmers, Hispanic/Latino farmers, and Somali and other West African farmers in Minnesota
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali
Agricultural Crops & Products: All varieties of vegetables, including those particular to the various participants’ cultures. Livestock including chicken, pigs, and milk and meat goats.
Areas of Expertise: Sustainable Agriculture Crop Production, Organic Farming, Farm Business Management, Farm Risk Management, Curriculum Development, Community Supported Agriculture, Farm Mentoring, and Marketing.
Useful Resources and Materials: Link to www.mnfoodassociation.org to access New Immigrant Agricultural Project resources, including: * Breaking New Ground, a farm business management curriculum for new immigrants * Introduction to Risk Management, a half-day power point presentation English, Hmong, Spanish
