Farm Training for Veterans in Texas

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Taylor in Farming, Training Programs, Urban Farming and Gardening, Veterans // 0 Comments

Farm Training for Veterans at Hope Farms in Houston, Texas – 2020

Our nation has a long history of welcoming our troops home and bringing them back into a life where they can work and study out of harm’s way. This unique 2,000-hour, one-year training program is designed and offered only to military Veterans. With federal funding from the USDA, qualifying Veterans can earn a full scholarship and living stipend to train as a farmer at Hope Farms. Application deadlines for 2020 farm training for veterans are at midnight central standard time on:

April 1, for May 1 program start
July 1, for Aug 1 program start
Oct 1, for Nov 1 program start
Jan 1, for Feb 1 program start

Finalists will be invited to a working interview with 30 days of application-no later than one week following each deadline, and be notified regarding acceptance into the program two weeks prior to start.

The scholarship includes a living stipend of $13/hour with merit-based incentives that can add up to equivalent of $17/hour. Designed to transition participants into an urban farming or food system career, graduates of the program may qualify for the Hope Farms business incubator program, offering advice and support in land acquisition, growing crops, small business management, as well as access to our supplies and equipment co-op, helping to market and distribute crops. If you are ready for the challenge and satisfaction of growing and providing nutritious food to our community.

More information about Hope Farms at www.HopeFarmsHTX.org

Link to apply for farm training for veterans at Hope Farms: https://tinyurl.com/vlrskc3

What you can Expect from farm training and after:

KEY AREAS OF STUDY

Food Production:

Learn how to utilize small scale, intensive organic growing methods to maximize and optimize production of fruits and vegetables on the urban farm. Houston’s year round growing season offers the opportunity to grow a large array of diverse crops utilizing a variety of growing methods.
Understand and experience the rhythms of a year-round diversified vegetable farm, including planting; cultivation; pest, disease and weed management; irrigation; compost systems; harvest and post-harvest handling; quality control; sales and distribution.
Learn operational aspects of running an on-site farm stand, CSA program, restaurant and farmers’ market sales and deliveries, in addition to community markets utilizing the mobile Rolling Green Market.
Learn about managing poultry for egg production and bee hives for honey production, in addition to general ecosystem benefits.

Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship:

In partnership with University of Houston Downtown, in addition to on-site classes provided by members of the Recipe for Success Foundation and visiting guest lecturers, trainees gain critical business skills and knowledge required to launch and manage a farm business of their own or work in an agriculture related career.

fundamentals of small business management
record keeping
accounting
direct marketing and advertising
financial literacy
entrepreneurship

What’s Next for Trained Farmers?

If they want to become agri-prenuers, the Recipe for Success Team will incubate their new enterprises with advice and counsel, continuing education, access to equipment, co-op branding and distribution of products throughout the city to premium and wholesale buyers, CSA members, farm-to-school programs and farmers markets.

Or, if our new farmers prefer to delay starting their own businesses, we will help match them to well-paying jobs in agriculture or food distribution network.

Training is not limited to adults ready to jump start a new business, we have Introductory Classes along with Intern programs for youth and young adults to give them a good look at what the farm business is all about.