The Tennessee Beginning Farmer Outreach Program's purpose is to provide a coordinated, systematic and holistic educational program to deliver the information and skills needed to realize a successful new farming operation and increase success rates of new farm start-ups among those participating in the program. The Tennessee Beginning Farmer Outreach Program will educate military personnel and veterans desiring to transition into farming after their tenure in the military.
One specific objective of the Tennessee Beginning Farmer Outreach Program is to have new farmers create a business, marketing and safety and health plan. The implementation of a business and marketing plan objective is to increase the profitability and hence viability of those farmers. The safety and health plan will reduce losses from farming injuries and illnesses.
An additional objective of the Tennessee Beginning Farmer Outreach Program is to increase awareness of available programs that can assist farmers with planning and implementation of various aspects of the farm business plan, adopt recommended best agricultural practices, as well as provide on-farm assistance.
Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets)
The Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Program provides grants to non-profits to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills through comprehensive, hands-on and immersive model farm and ranch programs offered regionally that lead to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector. The program encourages the development of training opportunities specifically designed for military veterans. For more information, please visit the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) website.
Veteran Helps Veterans Learn to Farm
In this NCAT
Podcast, Lawrence Rhone of Farm Retreat Rhone in Flaxville, Montana, shares
his progress towards his farm-based retreat center for veterans. In the
podcast, he talks about using his skills as a veteran to approach the often
intimidating process of working USDA programs like the National Resources
Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Farm
Service Agency loans.
Veteran Scholarships Available for Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference (SAWG)
Little Rock, AR, January 25-26,2019
Limited scholarships are available for military veterans who would like to attend Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's (SAWG) annual Practice Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas January 25-26, 2019. Applications are due by Friday, December 5th at 4 p.m. Central Time. Click here for more information and the application.
Secretary Perdue Announces $9.4 Million to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers/Ranchers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $9.4 million in grants to provide enhanced training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program), managed by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). Please visit this link for more information: USDA $9.4 Million Grant Announcement
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Master/Advanced Master Producer Certification
Tennessee Department of Agriculture provides a 50% cost share program through the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program (TAEP) for producers with a Master and/or Master Advanced Certificate. The following programs are eligible to receive a 50% cost share: Genetics, Livestock Equipment, Livestock Working Facility Cover, Hay Storage and Livestock Feed Storage. The University of Tennessee offers several education Master and Advanced Master programs for the livestock industry.
Tennessee State Chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition
Help us connect Farmer Veterans and beginning farmers across the
state to support each other and share info as you make transition into
farming and build a Tennessee State Chapter of the Farmer Veteran
Coalition. Growing network, Free membership and resources plus
information to become Homegrown by Hero certified. Please visit Farmer Veteran Coalition's site or contact Charley Jordan, Tennessee Farmer Veteran Outreach, charley.jordan@tennessee.edu if interested in helping grow TN FVC. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FVCTennessee.