The following government and other programs offer support for Veteran’s seeking careers in Sustainable Agriculture. We hope they will support you in your process.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
www.nifa.usda.gov
202-720-4423
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW., Washington, DC 20024

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NIFA’s mission is to lead food and agricultural sciences to create a better future for the Nation and the world by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. NIFA doesn’t perform actual research, education, and extension but rather helps fund it at the state and local level and provides program leadership in these areas. The broad expectation is that NIFA will enhance the stature and impact of food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences and ultimately grow support for agricultural research, education, and extension.

Download NIFA’s Military and Veterans Portfolio (.pdf)
This document contains an overview of their programs, and partner programs they have contributed to.

The Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program
www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/beginningfarmerandrancher.cfm
Jill Auburn – National Program Leader
jauburn@nifa.usda.gov

This program offered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) develops and offers education, training, outreach and mentoring programs to ensure the success of the next generation of farmers, including Veterans. The 2014 Farm Bill includes a 5% set aside for Veteran farmers and ranchers, approximately one million annually through 2018. As one example, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and ARS Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit developed a comprehensive modular training program that provides new and beginning farmers with relevant knowledge and tools to operate efficient and sustainable farms and ranches, focused primarily on integrated poultry, livestock and agroforestry systems; including specialized materials for returning Veterans.

National AgrAbility Project                                                                  

www.agrability.org

Purdue University – Breaking New Ground Resource Center

ABE Bldg., 225 So. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907

Cindy Chastain, Farmer Veteran Coordinator

765-496-2377

The vision of AgrAbility is to enable a lifestyle of high quality for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families and their communities continue to succeed in rural America.  Although AgrAbility has served veterans for over 20 years, the need for this service and direct outreach to veterans that are currently farming or have a desire to farm, is great. We can be a resource for those veterans seeking support, education, disability assistance and training.  We have programs in 20 states and several other states have affiliated programs.

Farm Service Agency – USDA

fsa.usda.gov

“Your Guide to FSA Farm Loans” is chock full of guidance about eligibility for farm loans. The Farm Service Agency implements agricultural policy: administers credit and loan programs; manages conservation, commodity, disaster and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices.

American Farm Bureau                                                                                                        

Marty Tatman, Director of Young Farmers & Ranchers

martyt@fb.org

202-406-3682

“The Farm Bureau Resource Guide to Assist Veterans in Agriculture” was developed with the Farmer Veteran Coalition. They are working together to train beginning farmers, make equipment available to farmer veterans and help find farm ownership, mentorship and employment opportunities for member of the military transitioning into the civilian workforce.