In West Sonoma County, on a modest 3-acre plot, Leslie Wiser integrates her Taiwanese ancestral agricultural practices into her current life as a grower and mother, despite having limited knowledge of her heritage. At her Sebastopol farm, Wiser showcases a variety of leafy greens, such as Taiwanese cabbage and Bok choy, in a hoop house she constructed, underscoring the global popularity of these vegetables within Asian communities.
"I had a friend say that she loves Chinese broccoli or Gai lan. I had never heard of it. And I was very intrigued and also a little ashamed that I had no idea what this vegetable was, and I'm half Chinese.
Today, her farm efficiently produces a variety of vegetables that are cherished by Asian families in the Bay Area and were once difficult to find locally, including bitter melon, Bok choy, celtuce, Sichuan peppercorn, and plants for chrysanthemum tea. Through her farming practice, Wiser has not only connected with her heritage but also aimed to ensure the sustainability and viability of her business.
Watch a video of Leslie Wiser and her greenhouse at kqed.org