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.
Returning veterans and rural America can keep each other strong
Consultation
Get personalized professional assistance and counseling on farm production, business, financing, and more:
- Production and marketing
- Farm business development
- Loan applications
- Farm financial advising
- State and federal financing and loan options
- Land access strategies
- Linking programs
- Programs for disabled farmers
Contact the Veteran Farmers Project or info@farmvetco.org for guidance in finding the programs, information, and organizations that can help new veteran farmers succeed.
Partner organization contact information
- Farmer-Veteran Coalition, 530.756.1395
- Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, 303.752.5800
- Kansas Farmers Union, 620.241.6630
- Missouri Farmers Union, 573.659.2787
- Nebraska Farmers Union, 402.476.8815
- Colorado AgrAbility Project, 970.491.5889
- Kansas AgrAbility Project, 785.532.2976
- Missouri AgrAbility Project, 1.800.995.8503
- Nebraska AgrAbility, 1.800.471.6425
- USDA Farm Service Agency, 402.437.5896
This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency.