Hmong American Farmers Association

Growing community wealth since 2011

I honor anyone who works with their hands

Fall / by

Dedicated City Academy-YouthBuild program and Carpenters Union Local 322 leader Dave Wolner inspires volunteers at the HAFA Farm, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, in Vermillion Township, MN. (Mike Hazard/HAFA)
Dedicated City Academy-YouthBuild program and Carpenters Union Local 322 leader Dave Wolner inspires volunteers at the HAFA Farm, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, in Vermillion Township, MN. (Mike Hazard/HAFA)

Dave Wolner is excited. A career carpenter and leader in the Carpenters Union Local 322, he now finds himself inspired to build bridges to the good jobs in the trades unions with youth in the YouthBuild program at Saint Paul’s first charter school, City Academy.

This fall, Dave helped City Academy team up with HAFA to bring over 100 high school students across the state to the HAFA Farm to build storage sheds for the farmers. Many of the students participate in YouthBuild, a national program that links master tradespeople with high school students interested in the construction industry.

“I honor anyone who works with their hands, coming together. It’s rewarding to see where the HAFA farmers are going, seeing that instead of competing against each other they can get together to grow their wealth and the regional economy.”

“Even though I’m still coming down with the City Academy youth everyday to finish the sheds, I’m still excited everyday. The core group, they leave the farm with a smile everyday, knowing that they’re doing good and feeling safe and appreciated.”