MS: How did you get started?
VI: Taking the New Entry sustainable farming project in at Turfts University to help my partner and write a business plan with farming. The community farm of Simsbury now Gifts of Love farm started a program where they were going to help beginning 

MS: What made you want to be what you are now?
VI: I am a very deep thinker and want to live this best life I can while on this earth. It has caused depression, farming helped me get centered. When I lost that do to some life changes, I started exploring holistic healing. In the end I am connected with nature and want to help others while always being creative. 

MS: What was your pivotal moment in life that made you take this direction?
VI: Just looking for alternative ways to live, and I always wanted a garden and I am very drawn to nature.

farmers get into the business. Getting access to land, water, cooler space was a big help.

MS: What are your favorite parts about what you do?
VI: I love being at markets. I love being around other creatives and just talking to my customers. I am a total people person and it really lights me up. 

MS: What are your short-term and long-term goals at the moment?
VI: My short term goal is trying to become more of an advocate and see if I can help with social change to make farming more resourceful for the BIPOC community. It is really a struggle. Long-term I hope to have a business where I can help and empower others as well. I actually would love to have more than one business. 


MS: Do you have advice for people interested in the same field?
VI: Start small, seek out advice.

MS: What is something you wish you knew in the beginning?
VI: Hard question. Maybe looked harder for secure land. There was one point I was farming in MA, Hartford, and Simsbury just to secure land. I also would have utilized resources more and maybe looked into land ownership.

MS: Who are your biggest inspirations and why?
VI: You Monique. I remember seeing you at the market thinking. Look at that beautiful Asian girl. It’s been amazing to see you utilize your talents and grow so successful.

MS: What is your favorite food/drink-related memory?
VI: Doing my first demo for the Coventry farmers’ market. I got to step out of my comfort zone and develop a recipe for it. I learn, I do ok in front of a large crowd. Also being filmed live. For some reason when the camera rolled, I got so excited and went with it. 

MS: What is your favorite quote and why?
VI: “It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it.” - (a league of their own). It’s just so true.

MS: What is your ideal day in the work life?
VI: Waking up every day and being my authentic self while doing what I love!

MS: What are some things that keep you going?
VI: I love my Mom and dad, survivors of the Cambodian Genocide and they are successful to me. I want to make them proud. My niece and nephew. My nephew at only 5 is so proud his auntie is a farmer. 

MS: How do you approach a work life balance?
VI: I am bad at this. In the winter time I do more self care and overdose on self-help stuff. I am trying to do something for myself weekly now. It could mean sneaking off to get a pedicure or taking time to read a book. 

MS: What is something you wish people learned or knew more about in your industry?
VI: Farming is very hard and it’s hard to make money. It could also be very therapeutic. Learn more about your target market.

MS: What does supporting local mean to you?
VI: Supporting local business, to support the local economy 

MS: Do you have advice or encouragement for ways to support local?
VI: It’s not hard. Go to your local farmers market, support small business in your town. Following them on social media! I have customers that support me weekly. It does help.

MS: Is there anything you wish to add?
VI: I am still on my journey on what exactly I want to be come. I’ll have fun getting there. 

MS: If you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be and why?
VI: People don’t talk about mental health as much as they should. If you follow me on social media I maybe be a little too open about it. We will all fall into dark times in our lives, and there are a lot of resources out there to help. I want to educate people on this and give people a light that there is always hope. 

MS: What is the most valuable advice you’ve received?
VI: You have to go with the flow in life. This was an advice I got from the CEO of Philips medical division. You really can’t plan life too much. I however think it’s important to set goals.

MS: In your experience, how do you organize and prioritize your work load?
VI: I am still working on this. Someone said make a to-do list. This definitely helps. I am seeking advice from mentors.

MS: What is your definition of success?
VI: Over all you don’t need to be rich, but enjoying what you do!

MS: Looking back on life, how have you or values shifted or refined?
VI: I definitely discovered more of my self-worth. I have reprogrammed how I see myself and discovered more of my authentic self. I feel the sky is the limit! Stay tuned!

Note: I got appointed by the state to sit in the main group for access of Diversification working group. There are so many people of color that want to farm and they don’t know how to get started. I have one farmer, where there is such a demand of her African corn, she aerially has orders all over the country. It’s definitely a story I can’t wait to tell. Manny from Micro2Life drives all the way from Waterbury just to farm. Sean from the Hopi tribe is trying find ways to preserve his culture, and that is also growing is native corn and beans act. I can go on and on...

Refugee story:
My parents met at a refugee camp in Thailand. This is where my younger brother and I were born. I still have memories, playing in the camp and traveling on a plane. Cambodia was taken over by the Khmer Rouge, a Communist group that killed millions of Cambodians. It still baffles me that this is my own people hurting eat other. If you visit Cambodia today it is very warm and inviting. 

People don’t talk about mental health as much as they should. If you follow me on social media I maybe be a little too open about it. We will all fall into dark times in our lives, and there are a lot of resources out there to help. I would to educate people on this and give people a light that there is always hope. 

07.13.21

My short term goal is trying to become more of an advocate and see if I can help with social change to make farming more resourceful for the BIPOC community.