Farmer-Veteran Coalition Awards New Bob Woodruff Farming Fellows and Wells Fargo Fellow

Emily Randall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Farmer-Veteran Coalition Awards New Bob Woodruff Farming Fellows and Wells Fargo Fellow

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition is proud to present our three new grant recipient fellows. Adam Burke and Mark Beyers have joined the ranks as our newest Bob Woodruff Farming Fellows. We are also pleased to name Jeremy Lopez as our first Wells Fargo Fellow. These three men are inspirational young veterans who each have a clear passion for farming. They each have will receive grants to help spark their farming careers and assist them in reaching their goals. FVC will follow up with their successes made possible by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Wells Fargo in the near future.

Adam and his wife Michele

Adam, a Purple Heart veteran with 9 year’s service in the Army, was injured twice in Iraq. After recovering from his first injury, he returned to combat. Then, three days before his fifteen-month tour was to end in 2004, he took a mortar hit while serving in Balad, in the middle of the Sunni triangle. Adam suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and vertigo – but has not only returned to his roots in blueberry farming he has created a farm to help other disabled veterans.

Adam was one of the first veterans to receive support from FVC; we helped him get his first acre and a half of berries, which he planted above ground in 30 gallon containers so his farm could be wheel chair accessible and even gave him the name Red, White & Blueberries. Adam has since taken on a second, larger piece of property through the generous help of Work Vessels for Veterans, who have helped Adam launch Project Blueberry and Veterans Farm into a growing business and sanctuary for many disabled veterans. FVC wants to continue to support the work of Adam and Veterans Farm.

Mark and his wife Denise both served in the US Marine Corps. Mark was injured in Iraq and is now a double amputee. Undeterred, Mark explains that he doesn’t feel useful or productive if he is not working or helping out. Mark and Denise began harvesting maple syrup on their property in upstate New York as a hobby in 2010. They would now like to make this their full time business but lack the equipment to make it viable. With the help of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, FVC will help turn their maple syrup production into a working enterprise.

Jeremy Lopez and Joe Judge

Jeremy, the first Wells Fargo Fellow, served in the United States Marine Corps for 5 years and achieved the elite status of Embassy Guard. He attends veteran support groups to encourage recently separating veterans through the difficult transition process from military to civilian life. Jeremy has spent the last several years interning and working on organic farms as well as on a vineyard. Jeremy is seeking a certificate in sustainable agriculture with an emphasis in Biodynamics, which combines structured on-farm training and mentoring with classroom study. Jeremy’s long-term goal is to include using his experience, training, and certifications to go into farm management.

Joe Judge, Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Advisors and Advisory Board Member for FVC’s Fellowship Fund, recommended Jeremy highly, saying, “I cannot think of a more deserving candidate to be the first Wells Fargo Fellow.”

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition is excited to create opportunities for these determined veterans and is grateful to the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Wells Fargo for making this process possible.

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