Veterans in Agriculture

AgrAbility PA provides resources and services to men and women who are battling a long-term health condition or disability - sometimes from their military service - but who want to work in the agricultural sector.

Cathie Dibert, owner of Green"er" Acres Farm and a veteran, has made the move into agricultural farming after her military service.
Read her success story.

• 2% of Americans are farmers, and 2% of Americans serve in the military.
• More than 40% of Veterans live in rural America near farms or farmland.
• More than 5 million U.S. Veterans are living with a disability.
• Many Veterans feel there is a strong correlation or similarities between military life and agricultural life.
• Many occupations and hobbies are available in agriculture for Veterans with a disability or long-term health condition, including mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

For more information about how AgrAbility PA works with Veterans, contact us at AgrAbility@psu.edu or (814) 867-5288 or download this brochure.

Resources for Veterans & Farmers

Farmer Veteran Coalition
- National program dedicated to helping mobilize veterans on a national level to increase their awareness of agriculture and to help them break into the agricultural industry

PA Veteran Farming Project
- Resource hub for those who have served. Connecting honorably discharged Veterans, Guard, and Reserve members with agriculture resources

Work Vessels for Vets (WVFV)
- Provide funding towards equipment and modifications for veterans with disabilities who are starting farms or ranches. This program provides agricultural equipment (tractors, fencing, farm equipment) to America's veterans. Working closely with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and AgrAbility chapters around the country, WVFV identifies needed farm equipment and modifications required to adapt equipment for combat injuries.

REAch Wounded Veterans' Program
- REAch is a Wounded Veterans’ Program of Resources Exchange Association (REA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, started by Founder/CEO and WWII POW/Veteran, Mr. “Bud” Shepherd. REAch ships fully loaded toolboxes to post 9/11 combat wounded veterans free of charge as an HONOR gift (up to $500 value).

USDA New Farmers
- Resource to get connected to training opportunities, program and career resources, and read stories about other veterans in farming

Rodale Institute: Veteran Farmer Training
- Are you a military vet ready for a change? Learn how to farm while you farm. The Veteran Farmer Training Program with Rodale Institute will prepare you for a successful career in organic agriculture. For more information, please email Veterans@RodaleInstitute.org or call 610-683-1400.

Homegrown by Heroes
- Official farmer veteran branding program of America. The HBH logo serves to inform consumers that products donning the logo were produced by military veterans.

PA Veteran Resource Guide
 - Consolidated listing of programs, benefits, and services for veterans and their families in Pennsylvania

The Veterans Urban Farming Project
 - Dedicated to a two goals: enabling female and male veterans with the ability to derive the full range of financial benefits from self-sufficiency and to overcome the emotional, mental, and physical scars of war while transitioning back to civilian life

National AgrAbility Project - Veterans
- Dozens of resources available for veterans with a disability or long-term health condition that are interested in agriculture.

Veterans Administration (VA)
- Provides benefits and services to Service members, veterans, and their families in recognition of their service

Take a look at this video for Veterans entering agriculture.

Veteran-run Training Programs

• Operation Groundwork located in North Salem, IN.Created by an Air Force veteran on Blue Yonder Organic Farm; they offer training programs for veterans interested in sustainable agriculture: "Sustainable farming can play a unique role in the recovery of the physical, spiritual, and psychological wounds from war. As military Veterans, we have a new mission: to serve our country through sustainable food production!"
• The Veterans to Farmers program focuses on providing veterans of mainly the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with pride, education, and fulfillment through a permanent source of sustainable income, community, and contribution. In 2009, it was started by a Marine who recognized a growing need to help veterans. There is a 10,000 sq. ft. training center in Denver, Colorado that provides a physical location to train veterans in aeroponics and hydroponics, different growing techniques, maintenance/construction, and business ownership. The food grown there is sold directly to the consumer through a CSA model.
• Growing Veterans helps veterans learn the trade of agriculture through hands-on participation. They help with the transition from military to civilian life while working with other partners to provide resources to veterans including employment, volunteering, internships, and fellowships. They are not limited to the farm but focus on community outreach as well.
• Growing Warriors is a national program that helps teach veterans and communities to grow and preserve their own food while partnering with local organizations to create hands-on curriculum to veterans and their families in a community garden setting. This allows for more personal interaction between the communities and veterans and allows veterans to adjust back into civilian life.
• Warriors and Veterans to Agriculture is a program where veterans work with other fellow veterans to learn about agricultural practices and to help them learn how to harvest crops for food. They help identify veterans, market farm products, build the brand, seek property, cooperate with the VA, work in rehabilitation sites, and help create long-term growth environments for veterans.
• Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture has a three-fold plan to help better veterans lives and develop professional skills in agriculture. The Veteran Farmer Reserve Program is for veterans interested in exploring agriculture without committing to a full-time training program. This 10-month program will meet one weekend a month, one week during planting, and one week during harvest. The Veteran Farm Fellowship Program will be a two-year, on-farm training program. Up to five Veteran Farm Fellows will be paid to study and work full time at Arcadia Farm for one year, and will participate in all aspects of Arcadia's farm including food access and distribution, sourcing, working with local chefs and retailers, and farm and nutrition education.
• The F.A.R.M. (Farmers Assisting Returning Military), a Veterans Organization located in Desoto, Texas, offering sustainable farm therapy and TBI/PTSD Therapy reintegration through agricultural internships and career opportunities.