OUR STORY

The story of Hmong farmers in the Downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound Region is a testament to the resilience and hard work of the Hmong farming community. As Vietnam War refugees arriving in the United States in the 1970s, members of the Hmong community brought their agricultural expertise, which allowed them to establish livelihoods as farmers.

In 1982, the Indochinese Farm Project was initiated with funding from King County, the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority, and Washington State University. Starting with only six families, the project grew over the years to support more than 80 families. Through this project, Hmong farmers were introduced to floriculture. They quickly embraced this opportunity and became specialists in flower farming. Their efforts resulted in stunning flower displays at Pike Place Market, which have become a major tourist attraction all year round. This has had a substantial economic impact on the Puget Sound Region and Downtown Seattle, attracting visitors and supporting local businesses.

In 2022, the establishment of the Washington Hmong Farmers Cooperative (WHFC) with 14 Hmong farms marks a significant milestone for the Hmong farming community. As the first Hmong farmer-owned cooperative in the United States, WHFC plays a vital role in supporting Hmong farmers and addressing the challenges they face. This cooperative has become especially important to help farmers recover after significant financial losses they experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when regional farmers markets were closed.

The WHFC helps Hmong farmers reach customers beyond traditional farmers markets by connecting them to a diverse range of buyers, such as other cooperatives, restaurants, hospitals, grocery stores, schools, food banks, and nonprofits. This not only diversifies their sales avenues but also ensures a more stable source of income for the Hmong farmers. Furthermore, the WHFC invests in the continuation of the Hmong farming tradition, which has become an integral part of the Puget Sound Region’s culture and economy.