Farmers helping Veterans and a program to help more Veterans pursue careers as farmers are the subjects of this episode.
We begin with Michelle Keller, Senior Director of Farm 2 Veteran, a non-profit with headquarters in Manhattan, Illinois. A study showed that one in five of our nation’s Veterans are currently facing food insecurity.
Farm 2 Veteran began in 2020 with one 60-acre farm in Manhattan owned be a “serial entrepreneur” who wanted to do something for Veterans and funded the project out of his own pocket for three years. In 2021 they began donating 100% of their organic meat, eggs and produce to Veterans through a network of local partnerships. They have since expanded to nine states across the US and have served over 400,000 meals to Veterans.
We discuss the logistical challenges of getting their products from the farmers to the table. Michelle says they usually begin by finding geographic areas with a need first and then look to recruit farmers willing to participate.
Listeners can help by making direct donations OR if you know of a farm that may want to participate, please reach out to them.
Next we talk with Barry Taylor, President of the Land at Home Project. Studies have shown that our nation will need 1 million new farmers to maintain our domestic food production. The Land at Home project seeks to address this need by helping Veterans along the path toward a career in sustainable agriculture.
The core of their programming involves a Veterans in Agriculture Training Program. The curriculum is delivered partially online but also includes “hands on” internship on a ranch in Southern Arizona. Each student is also assigned a mentor. The program operates in partnership with the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, the Savory Institute and the Boulder Crest Foundation. They also have partnerships that can help the graduates bridge the financial barriers of acquiring land and equipment.
The Land at Home Project is a new program and their first cohort of five veterans just graduated. They register four cohorts per year. Barry says the cost of the program is $12 – $18,000 per student but the program is free of charge to their Veterans.