University of Wisconsin - Extension

Starting up a small business can be a daunting experience for anyone. But when English isn't your native language, the hurdles that stand between you and success are even higher.

Now, thanks to a $20,000 one-year implementation grant from the UW-Extension's Cross Divisional Program Innovation Fund, basic business training is available to Wisconsin's more than 40,000 Hmong residents.

The UW-Eau Claire Continuing Education Extension, the UW-Milwaukee Small Business Development Center, and the UW-Superior/Extension Center for Economic Development have teamed up on a project aimed at increasing Hmong entrepreneurship in Wisconsin communities with substantial Hmong populations.

"We are targeting a group of people who, in many cases, have a very limited knowledge of the English language," said Pang Cher Vue, an outreach specialist at UW-Eau Claire.

The Business Training for Hmong Adults project uses the grant funds to develop Web- and CD-ROM-based instructional programs to teach topics that will improve the practices of Hmong business owners and vegetable growers. To break the language barrier, the PowerPoint slide program materials are being developed in a dual-language format, with text and audio narration in both English and Hmong. The small-business programs now being developed will teach essential entrepreneurial skills, like the basics of inventory management and effective marketing. The second program area focuses on horticulture production and marketing, or "market gardening," with additional emphasis on food production in community gardens.

"Gardening is a very important part of many Hmong residents' lives," Vue said. "The videotape . . . will assist them in this venture, since many Hmong want to sell their products at farmers' markets around Wisconsin."

"The program will teach them how to be good gardeners--how to grow, package and effectively sell their product," said Donald Hinman, director of the Center for Economic Development at UW-Superior and the project's director.

After testing the materials with Hmong audiences around the state, Hinman will release the small-business and horticulture programs on the Internet in the coming months. Three modules have already been produced, and more are on the way. According to Hinman, Hmong people seeking information can view the training modules at the http://www.uwex.edu/ces/hmong"> UW-Extension Hmong Task Force Web site using publicly available computer terminals at offices of Hmong Mutual Assistance Associations throughout Wisconsin. Print-based materials will be distributed, and CD-ROMs can also be sent out.

Hinman noted that a significant advantage to creating Web-based narrated slide shows is that they can be regularly improved and updated. Eric Bangerter of the Cooperative Extension's Web Publishing unit provided server space and Web training to get the project started. Hinman plans to create several additional dual-language programs by the end of the fiscal year this June.

"In April, May and June, I will get out to farmers' markets and talk to the Hmong vendors there," Hinman said. "I want to find out what their needs are and understand the business better. I want to ask them questions about what they're selling and why. Does it match what people are buying? If not, would a particular training program in Hmong and English on that topic be helpful?"

"Many Hmong families struggle to make a living in this country," said Toua Vang, who, having come to the United States from Laos 20 years ago, is the project's main translator. "Many turn to farming or try to start a small business. But the language is a barrier to them. They don't know where to begin or what resources are available . . . Having this project on the Internet means it can help the Hmong people in a number of Wisconsin communities and throughout the country."

Hmong row cover: A Hmong grower learns about the use of floating row covers from the owner of the Red Cardinal Farm in Minnesota. Educational materials now being developed by UW-Extension will teach Hmong growers basic principles of horticultural business operations.