Documentary film maker Dulanie Ellis is working on a full length documentary of the efforts of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition and our partners. In this preview, some of this dramatic story of transformation is told through the words of the young veterans we work with and FVC’s Founder and Director, Michael O’Gorman.
A Greater Mission – 13 Min. Preview from Dulanie M. Ellis on Vimeo.
Adam Burke, in association with Work Vessels for Veterans, held a musical benefit last October 23 featuring one of their financial benefactors, Dave Mason. Here’s their great poster.
![](http://www.farmvetco.org/"wp-content/uploads//2010/12/Veterans-Farm-benefit-concert.jpg "Veterans Farm benefit concert")
Here is an article about a farm in North Carolina co-founded by an Army veteran to provide an ecologically sustainable place for aspiring farmers, including veterans.
Written by Sidney Cruze Photographed by Melissa McGaw
FVC’s Veterans Organic Farming Educational Retreat took place Memorial Day weekend. Sixteen aspiring farmers with military service backgrounds attended and all day Saturday and Sunday they were informed by experts in organic farming, training and certification. FVC provided accommodations, food and transportation to the venues, all around Santa Cruz, CA. Here are most of the attendees and FVC staff, posing amidst the organic berry bushes of Swanton Berry Farm. Jim Cochran, the founder, is in the center rear:
![](http://www.farmvetco.org/"wp-content/uploads//2010/06/MG_34441.jpg "_MG_3444")
Photo by Susanna Frohman.
The University of California provides this online Agricultural Tourism Directory, which allows you to choose a county and find all of the farms, orchards and vineyards that invite the public for tours and tastings.
If you’ve never seen farming up close, this is a great way to meet farmers, ask questions and see how things operate. Just getting out into agricultural territory, like California’s Central Valley and wine-producing regions can be very educational. See where your food comes from and meet the people who grow and process it.
![](http://www.farmvetco.org/"wp-content/uploads//2010/05/agritourism-300x269.png "agritourism")
Not that we’re an organic-only organization, but the magazine that helped (re)start organic horticultural practices has recognized the work of veterans who have returned from assignment to become dirt farmers.
This article, Veteran Soldiers Become Novice Farmers, will reach many thousands of readers who are loyal to the Rodale group, which has published OGM for over 50 years.
[Some farmers join the service and take their skills to people in war-torn locations]
From WKYT’s Web page:
Posted: 6:25 PM May 7, 2010Kentucky National Guard soldiers deploy for farming mission in Afghanistan
They’re prepared to fight for our country, but it’s a different type of mission they’re being sent on. Today at Keeneland more than 60 members of the Kentucky National Guard said farewell to friends and family as they leave on a mission to help Afghan farmers.
Reporter: Tamara Evans
Email Address: tamara.evans@wkyt.com
They’re prepared to fight for our country, but it’s a different type of mission they’re being sent on. Today at Keeneland more than 60 members of the Kentucky National Guard said farewell to friends and family as they leave on a mission to help Afghan farmers.
It was an emotional day for friends and family of the soldiers and airmen who make up Task Force Ironhorse as they now set to deploy to Afghanistan.
More than 60 members of the Kentucky National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team II were honored during a ceremony at Keeneland Race Track. This is the second mission of this type for the Kentucky National Guard. Kentucky’s first team is currently in Afghanistan and soon expected to return.
The farewell ceremony was a first for some, and nothing new for others. However, it was hard on most of the friends and families of the soldier’s in attendance.
“I don’t even want to talk about it. I’m proud of him but at the same time I’m really afraid”, says Donna Cunningham, whose son is deploying.
“This is our second deployment, so this is gonna help me out a lot having her, so it will be easier I think but still hard”, says Tasha Chrisman, speaking about her 6-week-old daughter Brooklyn. Brooklyn’s father Shawn is deploying on this mission.
The mission is to help Afghan farmers become agriculturally self-sufficient and develop their agricultural marketplace.
“To be a little bit better farmers and a little more prosperous”, says Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, the adjutant general for Kentucky.
It’s a difficult task to leave, but one they say they can do with support from friends and family.
“The youngest thinks I’m going on vacation to Afghanistan. He gave me a stuffed animal and told me not to lose it”, says Fred Bates.
“Words can’t explain how proud I am of my son. I’m so proud of everything he’s done”, says Terry Cunningham.
“She really holds our family together. Without support from families like this, deployments wouldn’t be able to keep going”, says Shawn Lombardo.
After the ceremony the soldiers and airmen of Task Force Ironhorse left for Camp Atterbury in Indiana. They will be there several weeks before deploying to Afghanistan.
On a fitting side note, today is Military Spouses Appreciation Day, which honors the husbands and wives of those who wear the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces.
In this interview, Jim Dunlop and his wife Rebecca Thistlethwaite talk about their life raising hogs and chickens in Central California and the lessons they’ve learned. It’s not all fun and glory – it’s hard work and you need not apply for an internship with them unless you’re willing to work at least as hard as the owners. With over 5 years under his belt as a professional farmer, Jim has made plenty of mistakes and learned many lessons. This is part one of a two part interview.
Following on its announcement that it has secured a new piece of land for growing its berries, the Veterans’ Farm founded by Adam Burke is now inviting volunteers to help clean up that property in advance of setting up its farming operation.
![](http://www.farmvetco.org/"wp-content/uploads//2010/05/130_0159.jpg "130_0159")
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