The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are accepting applications from veterans who seek a career in sustainable farming.

“A Call to Farms” is a 2!-W-day intensive crop production workshop Aug. 19-21 in Elkins Park, Pa., which will include farm tours and hands-on instruction in small-scale intensive fruit, vegetable and cut-flower operations, as well as presentations on sustainable soil management, intensive crop production techniques, farm planning and marketing.

“A Call to Farms” is sponsored by the FVC — a nonprofit organization that assists veterans with employment, training and placement on America’s farms — and the USDA’s Risk Management Agency. It is free for both veterans and active-duty military personnel. Preference for the limited workshop enrollment will be given to veterans who have demonstrated a serious interest in farming, and to post-9/11 veterans near the beginning of their careers.

NCAT, a national nonprofit with a regional office in Pennsylvania, with the support of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), is coordinating the event. Meals will feature local products from many of the farms that are visited. Space is limited to 24 veterans and their families.

To apply, contact Chris Ritthaler at the Farmer Veteran Coalition at 530-756-1395 or by email at chris@farmvetco.org.

Homeless and struggling veterans, notoriously unwilling to seek help, now have an emergency food pantry in Monticello when things get tough — and in a place they might feel more at home getting help.

The land is next to another 19-acre parcel that will be donated, where the committee wants to start an aqua-farming business that provides jobs for out-of-work veterans. John Crotty, director of the Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency, said it is difficult to put a number on homeless or struggling vets. He said Sullivan County has roughly 9,000 vets. At least 900 but potentially far more could be in need of services. (Link)

For some, farming is a way of life. For the farmers at Veteran Victory Farm, farming is a way of saving lives — theirs.  This farm is the brainchild of Ohio native Leslie Lightfoot, who was given her dad’s World War II Purple Heart when she was a little girl. She didn’t understand the significance of that award until later. Growing up during the Vietnam era, she decided to enlist as a medic and remained in that position from 1967-70. 

Three upcoming auctions, according to the president of a local not-for-profit organization, will serve as fundraisers for a hands-on training program for returning veterans who have an interest in becoming farmers.  Just over a month ago I posted a quick blog entry about the Clements Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) and their endeavor.  With support from The Rodale Institute and the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, CARI have been developing the Returning Veteran Farming Project since March.

CARI President Mahlon T. Clements said, "We intend to offer information and training to assist returning veterans in transitioning into a career in organic and sustainable farming." As part of the fundraising campaign for the veterans project CARI will conduct consignment auctions on July 23 & 24. (Read more here)

The VAC represents all branches of the armed forces and we're constantly thinking of ways that we can show our support on the farm for those who have served and are currently serving our country.  After surveying the recent damage that has been done to our crops, an idea popped into my head that will not only help out our production but also show those in our community who we represent.  As most farms do, we have a problem with pests. We need to find ways to discourage some of these nuisances, such as crows or rabbits, from disturbing and feeding on our recently cast seed and growing crops.  Here's where you can help - SCARECROWS. But not just any scarecrow.  Represent your branch of service by providing us with a uniform so we can post up some decoy action that will help us out when it comes time to harvest.  

The Clements Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) with the support of the Rodale Institute of Kutztown, PA are currently raising funds for developing a hands-on farm training program for returning military veterans with emphasis on organic and sustainable farming and gardening. They hope to have enough money raised by July to proceed with the project. While assistance is sought from the USDA and the Army, and New York Department of Ag & Markets and the VA, private funding is also sought from local donors and from foundations and other private sources, in order to reach a goal of $1 million. As Iroquois Farm is located just one hour from Fort Drum, it is expected that there will be several thousand Returning Veterans in the next few years, and CARI may be able to assist them in finding a career in Agriculture, and possibly a position or a farm in Northern NY. At the present time there are hundreds of jobs in Farming in New York which cannot be filled with US residents, which causes the farmers to find workers in Mexico and South America. We would like to help reverse that trend. Link

If you live in Ohio you most certainly can on Friday, June 17th. Events like this make us wish that the VAC was based near the Crawford County Fairgrounds. The Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Association will be hosting the 11th Annual Crawford Antique Farm Equipment Show Fairgrounds located in Bucyrus. Things will be topped off with a pork chop supper at the Youth Building starting at 4:30 PM.  Yum! Link