For a general overview of myths and realities about farming and rural life:

About the history of the agrarian myth, check out Richard Hofstadter’s “The Myth of the Happy Yeoman

Sociologist Gwen Sharp’s reporting on Census data about rural poverty

To learn about Hmong refugees and Hmong-Americans in Wisconsin and the U.S:

Amanda Holpuch’s 2019 reporting on the experiences of Hmong refugees in Wisconsin

2017 National Asian-American Survey data about the political beliefs of Asian-Americans

A 2016 New American Economy report about immigrant contributions to the Wisconsin economy

Scott Gordon’s reporting on the 40th anniversary of Hmong resettlement in Wisconsin

Doualy Xaykaothao’s reporting in The Atlantic about the experiences of Hmong refugees in Wisconsin

A 2014 Center for American Progress report about the demographics of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

Migration Policy Institute data on Foreign-born Hmong in the United States

Sociology References

Eliasoph, Nina.  2017.  “The Scorn Wars: Rural White People and Us.”  Contexts, 16(1): 58-61.

Lichter, Daniel T. and David L. Brown.  2011.  “Rural America in an Urban Society: Changing Spatial and Social Boundaries.”  Annual Review of Sociology, 37: 565-592.

Lobao, Linda & Katherine Meyer.  2004.  “Farm Power without Farmers.”  Contexts, 4:12-21.

Lobao, Linda & Katherine Meyer.  2001.  “The Great Agricultural Transition: Crisis, Change and Social Consequences of Twentieth Century US Farming.”  Annual Review of Sociology, 27: 103-124.

Lobao, Linda & Curtis Stafferahn.  2008.  “The Community Effects of Industrialized Farming: Social Science Research and Challenges to Corporate Farming Laws.”  Agriculture and Human Values, 25: 219-240.

This episode was written, produced and edited by Jennifer R. Myhre, with editing assistance from Lea Li and Deven Sutaria.  The music that opens and closes each 1500 Stories episode was composed and produced by Benjamin Henderson, who also composed the additional music.  The 1500 Stories podcast was launched thanks to generous financial assistance from the Mellon Foundation and American Council of Learned Societies community college faculty fellowship program.  However, any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed here are our own and do not necessarily represent those of Mellon or ACLS.  Thanks to Lea Li and Melinda Poley for their ears in early stages of drafting this episode.