Sowing the seeds to place veterans on America's farms
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2014 – Since the American Revolution,
U.S. farmers have taken up arms to fight and serve for their country. For 95
years, the nation has honored its veterans on Nov. 11. Today, about 45 percent
of members of the armed services are from rural America.
“As I've stated so often to groups around the country, rural
families and agricultural families send their sons and daughters into military
service and community service more frequently and in greater numbers,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a keynote
speech at the Commodity Classic in San Antonio earlier this year.
A recent
chart from the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows 3.9 million
veterans living in rural areas today, compared to 6.6 million just 20 years
ago. However, in spite of a decline in the number of rural veterans, because
they are aging in greater numbers than the general population, those who have
served still make up 10 percent of the rural population.
Many of those on the farm are older vets. A November
2013 brief from the ERS shows that veterans make up one-fourth of rural
retirees, but only 3 percent of rural young adults. Yet, the brief shows that returning
veterans not only add to the population base and increase the demand for goods
and services, but are also “well situated to take on leadership roles in rural
communities,” especially in hometowns where they have relatives and have forged
connections.
In spite of the contributions veterans can make in rural America,
in 2011, only about 6 percent of rural veterans worked in agriculture, slightly
more than rural nonveterans – and only 2 percent of veterans of the Gulf wars were
in ag.
With American agriculture called upon to help feed a world
population of 9 billion people by 2050, the need for farmers is indisputable. Agri-Pulse found a number of
organizations aimed at steering veterans to the farm and discovered a number of
private and government initiatives to provide training, marketing and financial
help to soldiers wishing to return to the nation’s agrarian roots.
Programs for veteran farmers and ranchers include:
·
Combat
Boots to Cowboy Boots: A program designed by University of Nebraska College
of Technical Agriculture deans to help returning vets “enter the agricultural
industry.” It plans to offer agriculture classes, job training and placement at
local farms and ranches when “fully operational.”
·
Veterans Sustainable
Agriculture Training: A program for veterans at Cal Poly Pomona to provide
training and agricultural skills “to help veterans start farms or ranches or
obtain other jobs in the agricultural sector.”
·
Armed
to Farm: A program that provides veterans and their spouses “an opportunity
to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises. Its blend of
farm tours and hands-on experience let vets “examine farming as a viable career
and … learn about the capital, labor, and risks involved in farming, as well as
the return on investment that is realistically possible.”
·
Veterans
Farm: A program to help veterans reintegrate back into society through a
Beginning Farmer fellowship program, where veterans learn the skills and gain
the education needed to start their own local farm or work for larger farming
organizations.
·
Veterans to
Farmers: A program “to provide American veterans of the Iraq and
Afghanistan conflicts with pride, education and fulfillment through a permanent
source of sustainable income, community and contribution – the family farm.”
·
Veteran Farmers Project:
A project that “provides veterans with the business and agriculture education
that can help them become successful farmers” by creating sound farm businesses
that tap into high value markets.
The USDA has shown its support for veterans through a number of initiatives this year, many as a result of the 2014 farm bill. They include:
Conservation Reserve Program revisions: In June, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced changes to the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The Transition Incentives Program (TIP) gives two additional years of CRP payments to retired farmers and ranchers if they transition expiring CRP acres to socially disadvantaged, military veteran, or beginning producers who return the land to sustainable grazing or crop production.
In a June press release, Vilsack said, “The cost of buying land is one of the biggest barriers to many interested in getting started in agriculture. The Transition Incentives Program is very useful as we work to help new farmers and ranchers get started."
Outreach and technical assistance: In July, USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced the availability of more than $9 million in outreach and technical assistance for veterans new to farming and ranching and to minority farmers and ranchers. The funding, though the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, known as the 2501 program, will help community-based organizations and partners work with these groups to acquire, own and operate farms and participate in USDA programs.
Jobs for veterans on forest lands: In September, Secretary Vilsack announced a $20 million investment in partnerships to support work and training opportunities in national forests and grasslands for 11,000 veterans and young people as part of the Obama administration’s “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative.
Expanded loan eligibility, increased limits: In early October, the USDA announced expanded eligibility parameters and increased farm lending limits to help more beginning and family farmers. With the changes, effective Nov. 7, among other skills that may be considered to meet the direct farming experience requirement for loan eligibility are leadership positions while serving in the military.
Related articles:
Farmer Veteran Coalition recruits states to promote products ‘Homegrown by Heroes’
Farmer Veteran Coalition launches Homegrown by Heroes label nationwide
USDA expands beginning farmer loan program eligibility, loan limits
USDA announces CRP sign-up, help for beginning farmers
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