Woman and man veteran farmers
Veteran farmers

Veteran Farmers

In the last 10 years, almost a million of our military’s servicemen and servicewomen have come from rural communities. As these veterans return home, they bring with them an opportunity to employ their passion, discipline, and sense of service to revitalize America’s small farms and rural communities.

By returning to their farming roots, veterans can carry on the proud tradition of small American family farms.

We help provide you with the business and agriculture education that can help you become successful farmers. By creating sound farm businesses that tap into high value markets, returning veterans can reintegrate gracefully and fruitfully into America’s rural communities.

Veterans in Agriculture Workshop Series

Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops. A new 3-year series from 2024-2026 highlights agritourism. In 2024, "Agritourism through Farm Stores" starts Feb. 19 and runs through August, rotating between online classroom sessions and on-farm sessions with an online option. Learn more on our events page.

A previous 3-year series focused on "A Year in the Life" of vegetable, pork, and poultry farmers is available on-demand.

To participate, access the previous series, or to ask questions, please contact Kirstin Bailey, senior project associate, at 402.870.2390 or kirstinb@cfra.org.

Programming is funded through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NIFA USDA fund Award #2020-77028-32890.