New legislation protects Hmong farming collective in Dakota County The government won’t be allowed to forcibly take land away from the Hmong American Farmers
The future of a Dakota County farming collective run by Hmong American families is secure thanks to recently passed legislation.
The state bonding bill that passed last week will protect the Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA) Farm by preventing local government from forcibly taking some of the land for use in a highway expansion project.
The 155-acre sustainable farm is a leading source of produce for metro-area farmers markets, school districts, and hospitals, according to a news release from HAFA and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA).
“I’m completely relieved,” said Janssen Hang, executive director and co-founder of HAFA. “All this was always a concern to our founding members.”