In the News

Hmong Farmers in Fresno Honor Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor

Richard Molinar, Small Farm and Specialty Crop Farm Advisor in Fresno County, was presented with a “Lifetime Achievement” award at the National Diversity Conference held in Fresno in March of this year.

It was presented for his 17 years of dedication and advocacy for Hmong and Small Farmers throughout the United States.  The conference was sponsored by the National Hmong American Farmers, Inc., and included speakers from around the country, with a keynote address by the USDA Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Joe Leonard.  “This award is very special to me, as it comes from the people and farmers  that I work with in Fresno County,” explains Molinar.
In 2011, Richard was presented with a Hmong name by the farmers in Fresno County.  His name ‘Vam Meej’ has special meaning in the Hmong language:  Vam means hope/prosper, and Meej means truth, so the name literally means “hope of truth” or “prosper of truth.”   The name was in recognition of Richard’s efforts to provide the Hmong with information that would lead to their prosperity.
“I am truly humbled and blessed in receiving both recognitions by  the Hmong,” says Richard.