Contact Information
Direct Line: 559-456-7189
Email: myang@ucdavis.edu

Program Description
Richard Molinar has been a farm advisor with the University of California for 21 years. For the last 11 years he has focused on small family farms in Fresno County. There are over 4,000 (80% of all farms) family farms in the county, half of which are minority operated. We have a very large number of farms operated by Hmong and Lao refugee farmers, as well as many Hispanic farmers. Bilingual meetings are offered to assist the minority clientele with farming issues. Richard employs a Hmong assistant, Michael Yang to help with translation, meetings, field visits, and research focusing on specialty Asian vegetables. Many of the meetings are co-sponsored by various community groups such as Lao Family, Hmong American Community, and African American Farmers Organization, as well as other government agencies including USDA, Fresno State, American Farmland Trust etc.

Below are recent and current specialty crop research projects and meetings offered by Richard's program. Newsletters are sent periodically to provide information regarding current issues or to announce upcoming meetings.

General Information - Publications
Saveur Magazine Article about the Hmong Community
Marketing Specialty Crops
Family Farms in Fresno, CA
Specialty Crops in Fresno County, 2000
Guide to Asian Specialty Vegetables in the Central Valley, CA
Sample price $ sheet - SE Asian specialty crops/season availability
Refractometer Calibration
Resource Directory for Small Farmers (English) - Updated April 2007
Resource Directory for Small Farmers (Hmong)
Seed Companies

Cost studies available:
Bittermelon, moqua, sinqua, green beans, long beans, strawberry, squash, red onion, eggplant, and lemongrass.

Media and Outreach Powerpoint

Mini Watermelon Field Day Presentations - September 6, 2007

    Viruses and How They are Spread - Dr. Summers, UC Kearney
    Weed Management - Organic/Conventional - R. Molinar, UC Cooperative Extension
    Insect Predators and Parasites - Dr. Boyd, UC Kearney
    All About Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) - Dr. Siegel, USDA-ARS

Organic Farming Interview - ABC
Niche Crops and Profiles - Presentation, National Small Farm Conference (N. Carolina)
Small Farm Statistics - Labor PowerPoint presentation
Hmong farmers affected by 2007 California Freeze (Time 2:30min.) ABC
NEW - Video - The New American Farm by the Kellogg Foundation

Research
Strawberry Variety Trial - Fresno, CA, 2001
Evaluation of Twenty Varieties of Cherry Tomatoes in Fresno, CA - 1999
Fresno County Grape Tomato Variety Trial - 2003
Grape Tomato Trial Pictures
Mini "Personal" Watermelon Variety Trial - 2003
2006 Strawberry Research Report
Mini Watermelon Variety Report 2006
Lemongrass Research Trial 2003

Blueberry Links
Blueberry Studies 2003
Sample Costs to Produce Blueberries
Blueberry Research Article

Hmong and Lao Information, Nyob Zoo
Hmong, Lao, Khmu, and Lahu Refugees - Who are we?

Michael Yang's Radio Broadcast (In Hmong)
    April 19, 2004 - The importance of good record keeping (Khaws ntaub (nTawv)
    June 14, 2004 - The USDA Farm Loan program (Txais nyiaj)
    January 09, 2006 - Proper use of Chemicals and Training (Siv Tshuaj Ntawv)
    January 23, 2006 - Insurance programs with USDA (Yuav Kev Tuav pov hwm)
    July 2007 - An Interview with USDA - Strawberry Insurance
Microsoft Media Player Click on Windows Downloads. Scroll down and click on Windows Media Technologies. Select version and download.

Newsletters, Translations, and Video Clips
#5 School Plant Nutrition English-Hmong
#6 School Vertebrates English-Hmong
Alternatives for Weed Control - Solarization (EPA)
Botrytis Fruit Rot English-Hmong
English-Hmong Dictionary-Phonetic
Nematode Fact Sheet English-Hmong
Should I use Less Toxic Pesticides (EPA)
Small Farm Resource Directory
Snow Pea Problems English-Hmong
Understanding Pesticides and Pest Control (EPA)
Why Use Reduced Risk Pesticides (EPA)
Hmong and English Commonly Used Words and Phrases
American Vegetable Grower Magazine Article (Hmong Refugees)
Small Farmers Hit Hard by Freeze April 2007


December 2007 Newsletter - Freeze Protection

Let's Celebrate

Hmong Celebration

Hmong New Year

Useful Links

Asian Vegetables
Central Valley Small Farms & Specialty Crops Newsletter
Fruits
IPM
Vegetables
Weeds