Inver Grove Heights
Most early Hmong immigrants in Minnesota usually lived in the metro area, though the first generation of Hmong weren’t quite as fluent in English and weren’t able to quickly grasp the American way of life. This resulted in many Hmong people relying on farming and industrial jobs. Using the agricultural skills they were familiar with, many Hmong Farmers started renting land from the outskirts of the metro area, and luckily some Farmers in Inver Grove Heights were willing to rent to the Hmong.
Hmong Farmers started farming in Inver Grove Heights during the 90’s and early 2000’s. A usual farming day lasted from 5 AM to 10 PM or even sometimes until after midnight. Hmong Farmers planted various crops, from everyday fruits like tomatoes, watermelon, and bell peppers, to unique crops like Chinese mustard greens, Hmong waxy corn, and Thai peppers. After the harvesting season, most Hmong Farmers from Inver Grove Heights set up stands in Farmers Markets across Minnesota to sell their crops.
Source: Minnesota Historical Society