Military Veterans Farmer Training Movement is Growing
Our Farming Organization of the Year Award for 2010 went to the Farmer-Veteran Coalition (see https://beginningfarmers.org/farming-organization-of-the-year-farmer-veteran-coalition/). In yesterday’s New York Times, there was a great article featuring the work of this organization. I have included an excerpt and link below, along with links to several other similar efforts to help veterans get into farming.
Helping Veterans Trade Their Swords for Plows By (PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN – New York Times full story requires signup)
EXCERPT: On an organic farm here in avocado country, a group of young Marines, veterans and Army reservists listened intently to an old hand from the front lines. “Think of it in military terms,” he told the young recruits, some just back from Iraq or Afghanistan. “It’s a matter of survival, an uphill battle. You have to think everything is against you and hope to stay alive.”
The battle in question was not the typical ground assault, but organic farming — how to identify beneficial insects, for instance, or to prevent stray frogs from clogging an irrigation system. It was Day 2 of a novel boot camp for veterans and active-duty military personnel, including Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton, who might be interested in new careers as farmers.
“In the military, grunts are the guys who get dirty, do the work and are generally underappreciated,” said Colin Archipley, a decorated Marine Corps infantry sergeant turned organic farmer, who developed the program with his wife, Karen, after his three tours in Iraq. “I think farmers are the same.”
Programs Throughout the Country are Working with Veterans to Help them Develop the Skills they Need to Become Successful Farmers:
Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training currently works with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at Camp Pendleton California to offer the Marines and Sailors of the 1st Marine Division an intensive 6 week course in sustainable agriculture while they are on active duty awaiting separation from the military. In the course, the trainees will be developing business plans, building resumes, training in hydroponics, drip/ micro irrigation, environment control, soil biology and more, as well as meeting with various industry leaders from success growing operations, USDA, Farm Bureau, SCORE, Small Business Administration, retailers and distributors, and potential investors.
AND
The Veterans Farm in Jacksonville, FL is building handicap accessible farms for our disabled combat veterans to provide a “Prescription without Medication” through horticulture therapy. Through a 14 week fellowship program veterans will learn how to grow organic fruits and vegetables. After completion veterans will be provided with resources to go out and start their own farms, or to work for larger farming organizations.
ALSO
Check out a great new film about veterans returning from the war to start a life in farming at: https://www.walkyourtalk.tv/A-Greater-Mission/
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Military, not “Militarty”……..proofreading? Spellcheck? 😉
Thanks for pointing that out Stuart, I’ve fixed it. Just for the record I volunteer all my time for this site, and I try to do the best I can. It’s a lot of work. And there is no spellcheck function in the post title bar, so sometimes I’m going to make little mistakes.
Greetings!
I am so pleased to have found your page.
I am a veteran who raises/breeds hybrid dairy/meat goats. My friends and I have a special program we would like to offer to interested returning combat vets – the Veteran’s Ranch Internship Program, an internship to learn how to run a goat ranch, raise goats, participate in weed and fire hazard reduction and herding goats in the woods and forests.
Hosted by Goat Peak Ranch in Southeastern Minn., owned and operated by Lynette Nadeau and Keith Cahill, our Veteran’s Ranch Internship Program will also offer Vets a chance to decompress from the rigors of war in a supportive, affirmative and encouraging environment before they return to the “real” world. Veteran’s services are nearby as well as unlimited sports opportunities.
This will be our first season offering the Veteran’s Ranch Internship Program so we have a special need for vets who have construction, farming, organization, veteranarian, mechical and welding skills. We also have a special need for vets with trucks and trailers to assist us in transporting goats and equipment from Arizona to Minnesota in the Spring. Vets who would like to participate in the Program this Spring or Summer please contact us asap.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who is interested in participating or supporting this program, or who needs assistance or have questions about raising goats and the Goat Products Industry.
Aviella Shomayr
Veteran’s Coordinator
Veteran’s Ranch Internship Program
c/o Goat Peak Ranch
602-471-2656
Shomayrfoundation@netzero.net.
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