Veterans
The Soldier to Agriculture Program is a one-of-a-kind program for transitioning service members to learn about the agricultural industry, farm planning and purchasing, trends and outlooks, and basic farm production models of all aspects of agriculture. Service members with six months or less of active duty remaining, spouses, and veterans are eligible to attend.
The Veteran’s Farm of NC, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to training, consultation, equipment usage, and networking for veterans in NC that are beginning farms or are looking for ways to expand their operations and find help with marketing and other opportunities in agriculture.
The FVC Fellowship Fund
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, and more than $1.9 million has been awarded to veterans since 2011. Equipment, not funding, is provided directly to recipients.
USDA New Farmer Veteran Website
Includes links to programs and resources (including financial support), success stories, and career opportunities for veterans seeking to become involved in agricultural production or employment in an agricultural occupation
Other Resources for Veterans:
The Veteran’s Farm of NC, Inc.
The Veteran’s Farm of NC, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to training, consultation, equipment usage, and networking for veterans in NC that are beginning farms or are looking for ways to expand their operations and find help with marketing and other opportunities in agriculture.
Veterans Healing Farm
Veterans Healing Farm in North Carolina offers workshops on innovative farming techniques and fosters a community of veterans and civilians who build deep friendships and cultivate emotional, physical, and spiritual health. High-quality fruits, vegetables, and flower bouquets are donated to veterans and their caregivers free of charge.
FVC Fellowship Fund
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or
ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, and more than $1.9 million has been awarded to veterans since 2011. Equipment, not funding, is provided directly to recipients.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – 2014 Farm Bill Veteran Farmers
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Services receive preference for NRCS conservation programs offered in the 2014 Farm Bill. These voluntary conservation programs benefit both agricultural producers and the environment, and include financial and technical assistance as well as easements.
Thumos Project
Based in Wilmington, NC, Thumos Project comprises a group of veterans and civilians dedicated to assisting veterans and military families in our community through our referral network. It provides a transitional bridge for veterans of all eras and families of all veterans through engagement in community-based work projects and referral to support services.
Veterans Organic Gardens
Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden is a North Carolina based non-profit corporation that is dedicated to assisting disabled, disadvantaged and homeless veterans to acquire employment, agricultural skills and veteran specific information. Located in the Duffyfield community which is an ethnically diverse and low to moderate income area of New Bern, NC. The garden benefits veterans in the program but also provide access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food for community members. They are vital in promoting community health and provide not only a source of vegetables and fruit, but also educate the wider community about organics, food, and food security issues.
Veteran Farmers Project—Center for Rural Affairs (CRFA)
CFRA Veteran Farmers Project offers individual consultations with professionals for financial and production advice, a HelpLine for phone and email inquiries, resources, and support, and a webinar on resources for veterans as new farmers.
Growing Warriors
Growing Warriors is a national program that helps teach veterans and communities to grow and preserve their own food while partnering with local organizations to create hands-on curriculum to veterans and their families in a community garden setting.
NCAT Armed to Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) Armed to Farm program focuses on training and providing technical assistance and resource materials for military veterans interested in sustainable and organic agriculture.
National AgrAbility Project
The National AgrAbility Project is committed to helping military veterans who choose agriculture as their “Next Mission,” as well as beginning farmers with disabilities or other functional limitations. If you are a veteran or beginning farmer with an interest in farming, ranching, or other agricultural careers, or you simply want to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact AgrAbility.
Returning Veterans to Agriculture Project
This site is dedicated to gathering and communicating resources for veterans who are interested in returning to or starting careers in agriculture and in rural communities. The site links to various programs and resources throughout the country that assist veterans interested in agriculture.
The Farm Bureau Resource Guide to Assist Veterans in Agriculture
Farm Bureau and the Farmer Veteran Coalition have partnered to enhance Farm Bureau’s impact at the local, state, and national level for veterans interested in agriculture. The guide helps align the Farm Bureau Young Farmers’ and Ranchers’ program with the needs of veterans.
Government Resources Guide for Farmer Veterans
This guide is a collaborative effort of the Farmer Veteran Coalition and the Drake University Law School Agricultural LawCenter. The publication provides an overview of USDA, VA, Small Business Administration, and U.S. Department of Labor programs and resources for veterans.
farmvetco.org/GovernmentResourceGuide
Veteran Careers in Agriculture: A Resource Guide
This guide published by the Farmer Veteran Coalition contains a wide variety of information useful to veterans considering a career in agriculture. Topics include funding, education and training opportunities, using the GI Bill, business planning, available resources, farm enterprise options, and more.
Homegrown by Heroes (HBH)
The HBH label is the official farmer veteran branding program of America. The label serves to inform consumers that agricultural products donning the logo were produced by U.S. military veterans. Farms and businesses displaying the logo denotes a Homegrown By Heroes-certified operation.
BeginningFarmers. Org Military Veteran Farmer Training
This page provides links and referrals to farm-related training programs around the country geared toward
veterans. BeginningFarmers.org also includes numerous resources covering a variety of topics appropriate for any beginning farmer.
Ground Operations – Battlefields to Farm Fields
Ground Operations is a group of filmmakers who have come together in hopes of continuing to build the growing network of veterans who are going into agriculture as a means of transitioning back into civilian life and starting a career. The site also has a resource page for interested veterans.
Resources List Compiled by Crystal Kyle, PhD–For more Resources Use the Agriculture Resources Guide for North Carolina Farmers