From her Hmong family's roots to the vast expanses of Fresno's fields, Lilian Thaoxaochay weaves a story of unwavering commitment to the land and community. Thaoxaochay shares her knowledge of revitalizing and strengthening agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley, acquired from her childhood among crops to her academic training in medical anthropology and agriculture.

Thaoxaochay, who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, joined the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) three years ago as a UC Cooperative Extension community educator for small farms in Fresno County. Since then, Thaoxaochay has extended a helping hand to small-scale Southeast Asian farmers.

When she joined UC ANR in 2021, she became part of an integrated team addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Because most information about COVID-19 was in English, Thaoxaochay and her team translated information about the vaccination process into other languages for farmers in the region. Her Hmong heritage came in handy for the task.

"We went out into the countryside to raise awareness among residents about the importance of getting vaccinated," explained Thaoxaochay, "The Hmong community faces barriers such as language and culture."

She is a first-generation Hmong American in her family of six generations of hard-working farmers. While Thaoxaochay helped on the farm as a child, she absorbed every detail of farm life. Over time, her love of agriculture and interest in human culture and society gave her a new vision for her future.

Determined to explore this connection more deeply, Thaoxaochay embarked on an academic journey that led her to earn a bachelor's degree in medical anthropology at Stanford University and later a master's degree in Southeast Asian agriculture at the University of California Santa Cruz. Armed with her deep knowledge of both the field and the community, Thaoxaochay returned to the San Joaquin Valley with renewed purpose. Besides helping on the family farm, she dedicated herself to sharing her knowledge and experiences with other farmers and community members.

Through workshops, talks and research projects, Thaoxaochay addresses the various challenges small-scale farmers face in the valley, ranging from water scarcity to environmental and economic concerns. She advocates for solutions that will benefit farmers and the community.

Her strong ties to the Hmong community have contributed to her successful career with UCANR. "Part of my success is growing up on a farm in the San Joaquin Valley, which allows me to understand the needs of smallholder farmers," says Thaoxaochay.

"I was asked to see a farmer to help calculate crop loss due to the drought," she said. "However, no one had thought to ask about why these crops had died specifically. We then realized it wasn't just because of heat and insufficient water, but rather almost no water at all because his pump had died and been pulled out completely and he didn't have the means or know-how to fix the issue. This is a very serious example of how growers in our region were impacted by drought - fluctuating water tables (especially lowered ones) causing pump damage and growers not having the resources to diagnose the issue before it becomes a very difficult situation."

Over time, Thaoxaochay's work has strengthened the bonds between farmers and the community. Her story is about a young woman who grew up in the fields and became a passionate advocate for her community. She has become known for her dedication, knowledge and love for the land.

Thaoxaochay has been influenced by strong women including Yuri Kochiyama, a Japanese-American who was incarcerated with her family in a concentration camp in Arkansas during World War II and began championing civil rights for Asian American, Black and Third World people in the 1960s. "I have great admiration and respect for activist Yuri Kochiyama, whom I met in 2008 at a dinner," she recalls.

And while the age difference between Lilian and Kochiyama is significant—at least 69 years apart—the two share the same thinking. As Asian American women, they both pursue a passion for community and justice. 
"Yuri's legacy drives my determination to represent and express the needs of those I serve," Thaoxaochay said.

In May we celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, recognizing their power, courage and resilience. Thaoxaochay, who is paving the way for future generations, invites other Asian women not to be afraid to take risks. "Mistakes don't mean failure. Rather, they offer opportunities and possibilities for empathy, growth and development, which I consider important lessons in pursuing any dream."