An interactive map lists the locations of 10 Hmong or Mien operated strawberry stands in the Fresno-Clovis-Sanger area.
Springtime in the Central Valley means it’s the busy season for Kevin Yang and other local strawberry farmers in Fresno County. The fields at Sunshine’s Farm become filled with families eager to pick the juiciest strawberries and enjoy food trucks and fun activities.
Yang’s family is among the dozens of Hmong and Mien families who provide locally grown strawberries and other produce to the community, with many opening up the small stands where they personally greet people who come by to enjoy freshly picked sweetness. And there’s no better way to experience strawberries, Yang says, than by selecting the perfect fruit at one of the region’s local farm stands.
As a farmer focused on the local community, Yang said he crafts the taste of his strawberries to meet his customers’ liking.
“When you plant it, you need to test the flavor. If you don’t, the customer will not come in and buy from you,” Yang said.
At Sunshine’s Farm at the edge of southeast Fresno, “you come and take the bucket, jump into the field, pick and certify [the fruit] yourself,” said Yang. “They will last up to seven days in the refrigerator and not turn any colors.”
Nearly 90% of strawberries grown in the United States come from California, according to the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau. Fruit destined to be shipped to retailers mainly comes from farms along the coast that are larger, making it hard to control the flavor, and it is refrigerated soon after being picked, Yang said.
“They pick it, label it for the trucks, then they ship them straight into coolers,” he said, adding that the flavor doesn’t compare to those from small-scale farms. “Those fruits are big and in good size, but they contain more water.”
In Fresno County, a good number of strawberry growers are part of the Hmong and Mien community, including families who came to the U.S. as refugees and were drawn to California because of agriculture, where they could put to use farming practices developed in Southeast Asia.
Yang was the first of his family to arrive in the United States, after living in the Ban Vinai Refugee camp in Thailand. He initially settled in Utah and worked as a specialized registered nurse. But, he realized his passion was not in healthcare and decided to return to school. He moved to California and studied agriculture at UC Davis for four years.
After obtaining his degree, Yang initially planned to move to Pennsylvania, where there was high demand for farmers. But, just as he was about to leave California, he made a stop in Fresno and his journey took an unexpected turn when he discovered the powerful sense of family and community among farmers and Hmong people.
“I felt the Fresno [community] is more strong, and they keep close to each other,” he said. “They’re taking care of each other, and supporting each other. That’s why they’re here.”
Drawn by the career opportunities and the warmth of family connections, Yang made the decision to establish roots in Fresno, envisioning his own farming business.
Today, with thousands of visitors each year, Yang’s Sunshine’s Farm stands as a friendly tradition where local school children, families and friends can build memories together as they pick their fresh strawberries and enjoy a market filled with local food and crafts vendors each Saturday. Hours of operation, market announcements and all updates can be found on the farm’s Facebook page.
While California grows strawberries year-round, growers divide their work among two seasons – a low-season crop grown between July and mid-September and a high-season crop that is planted in mid-September and then harvested in the spring.
Yang’s 20-acre farm has two sections, one for each season. Each crop uses different fertilizers, creating different tastes. High-season strawberries are crafted with a sweeter flavor. Fruits grown in the winter are prone to absorb humidity.
“Every farm grows different types of strawberries,” said Yang, who grows the Albion variety. “These strawberries are softer, last longer and are sweeter and juicier.”
Where you can find local Hmong and Mien strawberry stands
Zoom in on the interactive map below to find the nearest strawberry stand near you. Days and hours of operation are listed below the map.
- Sunshine's Farm Strawberries Stand - 284 S. Temperance; 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Sunday; Food truck and craft markets occur on Saturdays.
- Kay's Farm - NE corner of Jensen and Thompson, west of McCall
- Der's Strawberries - 6874 E Belmont
- Siong's Strawberry Farm - NE corner of Willow and Behymer, N of Herndon (across from Clovis Community)
- Mao's Farm at the Vineyard Farmers Market - Blackstone and Shaw - Wednesday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to Noon
- Saechao’s Fresh Strawberry Farm - NE corner of Chestnut and Church (north of Dollar General)
- Saechao’s Strawberry Stand - NE corner of McCall and Manning
- Chingfou Strawberry Stand - SW Corner of McCall and Ashlan
- Kao’s Strawberry Farm - 6972 W Shaw Ave
- Sae Berry Farm - 3244 W Clinton Ave – 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
