One of the many local legacies of the”Secret War in Laos” is Saetern Farmers’ wonderful acre of strawberries, beans, corn, and more. Nestled behind Elk Grove’s Vintage Park Community Church on Elk Grove-Florin Road, the plot is farmed by Yian Saetern and her husband Choy.
Yian’s story begins in the mountains of Laos, in a small Mien village. At the age of 16, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Yian and her family fled their village and farmlands to escape the Communist troops that now ruled her homeland. Because the Mien were actively involved in supporting the CIA’s “Secret War” in Laos, once the U.S. withdrew its troops, the Mien, like the Hmong, were subject to frequent attacks and killing sprees by the new Communist-led government.
Once safely across the Mekong River and into Thailand, Yian was able to exit the Thai refugee camp and stay with relatives who had lived in Thailand long before the Vietnam War. Sixteen years after her arrival in Thailand, Yian, now married and with three children, received the good news that their immigration application to come to the United States had been accepted.
Like many refugees, Yian’s journey to American and settling in the Sacramento area was full of challenges, beginning with not speaking English. She was fortunate to find employment, enroll in night school, and eventually find a plot of land to farm. In converting a once arid, weed-covered acre into the lush Saeturn Farmers, she and her husband are putting into practice the agricultural skills reflective of their Mien heritage.
On a typical day, Yian and Choy will be in their field before sunrise harvesting strawberries and other produce, which they then deliver to restaurants or sell at local farmer’s markets. If you visit the Folsom Saturday Farmer’s Market, be sure to stop by and introduce yourself. Besides choosing from their fresh fruits and vegetables, you might want to try Yian’s dried cilantro, which she picks, dries, and then sifts (see photo below) into a popular spice often used in Southeast Asian cooking.
Yian’s story is one of courage, determination, and resilience. It is also another chapter – not yet widely known or taught – in the history of the Vietnam War.
If you have hidden histories from your community to share that provide insight into the stories of displaced citizens and/or war refugees, please add to this conversation by leaving a comment below.
Gail & Kathleen
