Armed to Urban Farm for Veterans in D.C.

Tweet

Apply Now for Armed to Urban Farm in Washington, D.C.

In partnership with the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), NCAT is bringing the week-long Armed to Farm (ATF) training to Washington, D.C., for a special event focused on urban farming. Armed to Urban Farm will give veterans an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and learn about urban farming as a viable career.

ATF combines engaging classroom sessions with farm tours and hands-on activities. Participants will learn about business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, urban soils, land access, vegetable production, and more. Participants will gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farming enterprise. In addition, ATF attendees will join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.

Instructors will include NCAT sustainable agriculture specialists, USBG horticulture specialists, Cooperative Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies, plus producers experienced in an urban setting.

Veterans can visit https://www.ncat.org/atf_DC to complete an application by July 13, 2018. The program is available to military veterans who are interested in starting an urban farm or who are beginning urban farmers (less than 10 years). All veterans are welcome to apply, but those from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will receive priority. Spouses and farming partners are also invited to apply. NCAT will notify selected participants by July 20.

Dates, Location, and Cost

Armed to Urban Farm is scheduled for September 10-14, 2018. Lodging, most meals, and classroom sessions will take place at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD. The training will be divided between class time and travel to urban farms in the Washington, D.C., area for tours and hands-on activities.

The event is free for those chosen to attend; lodging, transportation to local farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event.

Sponsors

NCAT and the United States Botanic Garden are partners in this program and will organize and host the Armed to Urban Farm event in Washington, D.C. Additional financial support comes from NCAT’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program.

Questions?

Please contact Andy Pressman, andyp@ncat.org, (479) 587-3475.

    

About NCAT

Since 1976, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been helping people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities and protect natural resources. More information about its programs and services is available at www.ncat.org or by calling 1-800-ASK-NCAT.

About the United States Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. The Garden informs visitors about the importance and fundamental value and diversity of plants, as well as their aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological significance. With over a million visitors annually, the USBG strives to demonstrate and promote sustainable practices. The USBG is a living plant museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. www.USBG.gov

 

Learn more about military veteran farmer training from beginningfarmers.org at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/beginning-farmer-training-programs/military-veteran-farmer-training/