Veteran Farmers

For many veterans, that spirit of service doesn’t end when they come home. It simply takes root in new soil. Across the country, many veterans are finding a second calling in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau, with support from Farm Credit, is seeking applications for the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence.

You've heard the adage, “Food security is national security.” Few people take that more seriously than veterans in agriculture, such as Matthew and Kara Rutter, who have established Project Victory Gardens in Townville, South Carolina, to bring more former service members onto the farm. Kara says,...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $27.6 million in grants to provide training, outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters to help them own and operate successful farms, ranches, and forest lands.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition announced grants last week to support veterans in their early years of farming and ranching. More than 100 farmers are being awarded equipment thanks to the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund. FVC Executive Director Jeanette Lombardo said, “We directly purchase a piece of equipment the farmer has identified as being critical.” ...

A recent change to how beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers can us actual production history is expected to help when it comes to crop insurance coverage. "Partly beginning farmer and veteran farmer master programs allow that producer to use APA and say he user his neighbor's hundred acres," said USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Martin Barbre ...

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency made improvements to its prevented planting coverage and to the beginning and veteran farmer and ranchers’ program that officially took effect on November 30th for the crop year 2021. These improvements were made to the Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions. Improv ...

Wednesday is Veterans Day, a time for us thank you to those that have served. Did you know the American Farm Bureau Federation's Patriot Project helps veterans adapt to farming and ranching through mentors? Veteran Damon Helton, Patriot Project mentee, said the project connects veterans with farmers and teaches vets how to properly run their operation ...

On Tuesday, the USDA announced approximately $15 million to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the 2501 Program. The ...