USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service serves a very diverse farming community.  One of the newest farming communities are Southeast Asian American growers.  As refugees transitioning into a new society, access to their traditional foods has been costly and difficult to obtain.  Many started small family farms in the early 1980s.  Some of these growers worked hard and grew from small family farms to commercial farms. Asian vine crops require high maintenance and are costly to farm. The growers don’t know how to farm these crops other than using less environmental friendly ways.

1. To enhance soil quality. A soil sample will be taken from each site for fertilizer determination. A short cash crop will be used in the open space between rows to maximize income to the grower and will also serve as a cover crop to improve water penetration and nutrient retention.
2. To improve water conservation and water use efficiency.  Drip irrigation systems are installed to the experimental sites.  Moisture devices (tensiometers) will be installed at each site to monitor for irrigation water use.
3. To minimize pesticide and other chemical uses.  A pest control advisor (PCA) will monitor for pest present and chemical use.
4. To reduce dust PM10.   With the permanent trellis system, grower reduces field disking from ten to two field passes.
5. To share information about tools and techniques for sound resource conservation.  There are four components to this objective.  (a) There are weekly radio programs, which broadcast on a local Hmong radio station.  Each program will focus on the experimental trellis system and agriculture-related issues in the community.  During each of the one hour radio programs, 15 minutes will be used to update farming activities and to promote upcoming workshops and training.  (b) participating growers will receive the additional conservation training.  Following their training, these individuals will use their knowledge and experience as field assistants to help implement and promote new trellis practices with other Asian vine crops.  (c) Information will be made available to the growers, inviting them to participate in other activities and events organized for the growers.  These events will include partnerships and agencies who have worked with NRCS.  (d) Poster boards and brochures reflecting pictures taken during the on-going course of events will be created.  Each poster will document the improvements made and demonstrate the benefits of the new trellis system.
6. To implement methods and strategies that will enable growers to become self-sustaining. NRCS will continue to collaborate and partnerships with resources and build relationship with the community and marketplaces so as to maintain sustainability for the growers.