Cornucopia’s Take: While computer programmers in California start at $75,000, Hmong farmers in the same region are making $15,000 per family in the drought. Farmers need our support to continue to bring us high quality food.
A tale of 2 Californias: Hmong farmers flounder, Silicon Beach flourishes
Take Two
by Alex Cohen and Austin Cross
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Are economic opportunities in this nation growing or shrinking?
The answer? Yes.
For some, especially those in the tech sector, things have never been better. But, then there are struggling industries, like farming.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, net farm income is at the lowest level since 2009. California is the central hub to both of these industries, so one might infer that it’s the best of times and the worst of times in the Golden State.
To get a better sense of what the landscape of economic opportunity looks like, Take Two spoke to two people at the center of the action:
- Chukou Thao, founder of Hmong resource group, National Hmong American Farmers
- Derek Smith, digital marketing evangelist and founder of Plug-in South LA, a workspace where startups meet
