Hmong families, once farmers in Laos and Thailand, find a new home as poultry farmers in the Midwest.

Wa and Angela Yang have finished a long trek in search of "home." Traveling through the hills and jungles of Laos and seeking refuge in Thailand after the Vietnam War, Wa and Angela, and their respective families, sought asylum in the United States in 1989. After living in Wisconsin and working in a factory there for several years, the couple became interested in moving to the Midwest after one of Wa's uncles bought a poultry farm in Arkansas.

"Our people, Asians, move very quickly," noted Wa. "When we move here in 2002, we were second family here (in Southwest Missouri). A lot of families buy poultry farms before that. However, prices too high in Arkansas for us. Since we move here just a few years ago, there are now 65 families in the area."

The Yangs are part of a growing trend of Hmong families moving into southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma to raise poultry.

Angela Yang is the family's record keeper, keeping track of who is moving where in order to maintain family togetherness-a constant effort given the family's moves geographically and toward a more secure economic future. "Family is everything," she says with quiet determination.

For background, Hmong families have been living in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam since the 19th century, where they inhabit mountain territory, raising crops and livestock. Their social organization was based on a clan system. However, many of the Hmong families were involved in the Vietnam War as allies of the United States. After the war, many families like the Yangs immigrated to the United States for safe harbor from reprisal and for the chance to participate in the free-market economy here. According to Hmong National Development, Inc., about 150,000 Hmong have come to the United States, primarily settling first in communities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California.

But why are these families now moving in large numbers to the Midwest? And why do they want to make the move to raise livestock? "Historically, the Hmong are farmers," said Bo Thao, executive director of Hmong National Development, Inc.

"They were self-sufficient farmers in Laos before the Vietnam War. When they arrived in America, there were no services that helped the Hmong to farm; thus, many worked in production and services trades. After almost 30 years in America, many feel they can best invest in their futures by returning to their farming roots. They work hard in the hopes of achieving the American dream for their families. They've chosen to move into those areas that have opened the doors for them."

Wa said that once his uncle came to Arkansas and began to talk about owning his own farm, their family soon followed. Wa, his brother Nhaoer and numerous uncles and cousins soon made the move to Missouri and Arkansas.

"When we lived in Wisconsin, we both work at factory," said Wa. "We had to wake up our kids at 3:30 in the morning to take them to a relative's house to stay. We had a long drive into the city to work and a long drive to come home. This was no way to live. We did not get to see our family. We work hard now with our chickens, but we work together."

"That is the main thing," reiterated Angela. "That we get to work together. Our children are able to be with us when we check the houses. They love to see the baby chicks when they first come in. We are able to be together at all times. That is the most important thing."

Wa and Angela grow broilers on a farm north of Wheaton in Barry County, Mo. This is actually the second farm they have purchased. They sold the first broiler farm with four smaller poultry houses to a cousin. Their new farm has six housesÑfour older houses retrofitted for tunnel ventilation, and two newer, larger houses with tunnel vent as well.

Although the family left behind an agricultural region in Laos, farms were small and large poultry houses were unheard of. Now, with thousands of birds on hand, the families farm with the same concerns as other commercial producers. One of those concerns is understanding and following local environmental rules.

Natural Resources Conservation Services officials have worked to educate families when they first purchase poultry houses.

With poultry houses, permits and nutrient management plans must be filled out and/or updated for each farm as new owners come in, said Dan Philbrick, NRCS district conservationist for Barry and Lawrence Counties.

"We are going over these nutrient management plans and permits step by step," said Philbrick. "We at NRCS are making sure that all new farmers understand what they have to do to follow these nutrient management plans in order to safeguard the environment. We are following up with farm visits to see how things are running on the farm and offer assistance as we go."

NRCS is also holding outreach meetings this fall to teach Hmong farmers about different aspects of managing their farms. With farm visits and outreach meetings, however, come difficulties associated with the language barrier. Angela Yang is helping NRCS officials translate some handouts into Hmong; however, this is no small task. The Hmong language is a tribal language. There are no words to match up with many in the English language.

"We have to rely on oral language to communicate the majority of the time," noted Philbrick. "We have several in the community including Angela and her sister-in-law LeAnn who do an excellent job of translating orally if we need assistance."

Perhaps the most effective way of learning the poultry business has been by hands-on experience. Many Hmong farmers insist the previous owners have been more than helpful in walking them through the first or second flock. One farmer known amongst many in the Hmong community is Chris Bigham. Bigham, who sold his original poultry farm to a Hmong family, is known throughout the community as a knowledgeable man who is willing to answer questions.

"I'm glad to help when needed," said Bigham. "I think the Hmong families I have met and worked with are an asset to our community. They are working hard to create a good life here. I like the people who have moved here...but at the same time, I would regret seeing a lot of people move here, simply for the fact that this is a small town. That's what attracted us in the first place."

How many families will eventually move into Southwest Missouri to raise poultry? It is hard to estimate at this time, said Thao. She said the trend continues to show an increasing number of families moving to this region not only with the goal of raising poultry, but to also participate in other industries in small towns.

"This is a good place to raise a family," said Wa. "We like rural living. People here are great. The kids love the schools. They are small schools where we do not have to worry as much as in the larger cities."

Wa's uncle Toua Yang agrees that the Midwest is a wonderful place to live and work. Last July, he and his wife Chao, along with their six children, bought six broiler houses on the south side of Wheaton.

"We used to raise chickens and pigs where we came from," noted Toua, "but this is much different. Dan Goosetree, who owned the farm before us, stayed and helped us through the first flock. He and his family were more than helpful."

With six school-aged children, Toua and Chao are also pleased with the school system. "Wheaton schools have been very accommodating to the children and their needs," stressed Toua. "It is a nice, small school."

However, more than anything, Toua enjoys being able to spend time with his children rather than seeing glimpses of them after a long day of factory work.

"I have so much more free time to spend with my family, with my children," he said. "I worked in a factory beforeÑwe left at dark and came home at dark. It's hard to be a family that way."

Toua hosted the family's New Year celebration last year. The Hmong New Year is celebrated in November. This year, with over 60 families in the area, they are looking for a larger space. "It will be great," he said with a smile.

The Yangs work hard at a job that many of the urbanites they left behind would consider menial at best, yet Wa is appreciative to be in charge of his own destiny.

"But you must be so careful being your own boss," said Wa with a shake of his finger. "No one tells you to turn on feed, check waterers, keep your equipment running-you must learn to do this on your own, and you must learn to budget your expenses. It is a lot to learn, but we love it. I have a very, very good life."