Watch a video of the retreat.

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:

Photo by Susanna Frohman.

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, 2010

Kentucky 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

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.

Contact:

Phone: 352-217-1662

Email: veteransfarm@yahoo.com

Where:

5571 Long Branch RD

Jacksonville, FL 32234

When:

Sat May 22nd at 8:00am

Directions:

From jacksonville, FL take I-10 west to 295North to Hwy 228 (Normandy Blvd) heading toward 301. Take a left on McClelland Rd go all the way down until you hit a 4-way dirt road. Take a right onto Long Branch Rd. It’s the 3rd drive on the left – 5571.

Activities:

We will be cleaning up garbage and debris from the old farm house and around the farm. Work gloves recommended, and weedeaters welcomed.

We need to get all of the trash removed from the farm in order for us to start prepping the land for planting.

Bonus byproducts:

This will be a great networking opportunity and give us an opportunity to introduce the different organizations that are supporting us to one another.

Who else will be there:

We will have supporters from Work Vessels for Veterans, Farmer-Veteran Coalition, GreenCare For troops, Truly Nolan, The Mission Continues, and the American Legion.

We hope to have the Patriot Guard Riders participate as well as others.

Jeremy Lopez, a Marine veteran, worked in American embassies around the world. His specific task was opening and closing the embassies each day, always being mindful of security issues in some countries.

Joe Judge, a member of Sonoma County Farm Bureau and a leader in the county’s wine industry, said because Lopez had shouldered that level of responsibility he had no qualms about putting him in charge of frost protection when he and his wife had to travel to visit an ailing family member. Lopez stayed in the family home, sleeping next to the frost alarm and moving into action when temperatures dipped below freezing.

“It was the first time in nine years that we were able to leave the vineyard during frost season. And it was because of the diligence of ex-soldier Jeremy Lopez,” said Judge.

This season, Jeremy is back, helping Joe with his frost protection preparation. He was originally attracted to working on Joe’s vinyard by his friend, Matt Mcclure, a fellow Marine veteran who served in combat in Iraq. Matt now runs his own farm – Shooting Star – with his partner, Lily Schneider.

Here’s a message we got this evening from Michael O’Gorman, FVC’s Project Director:

All,

Here are a few pictures of today’s amazing event in Inglewood, California. I and three young vets helped put in a school garden in a poor part of Los Angeles as the first of 1000 schools that Kelly Meyer, wife of Universal Studios President, Ron Meyer, is spearheading. Yesterday my son, Greg, my daughter-in-law Rachael, my grand-kids and two other vets spent a long day filling the beds with soil. One of the vets, John McLaughilin, 27 year-old Army Vet and Purple Heart grew up on a 1200 acre farm outside of Merced. Jose Soto went to Iraq at the age of 17, saw some of the worst battles and lost a lot of friends.

Today we planted the gardens with 700 kids. In the afternoon there was a star-studded assembly.

The first picture is Jose, me and Tobey Maguire, who talked about being a vegan.

The second picture is Kelly introducing me to speak.

The third is John, Gabby Reece (beach volley ball star), me, Derek Fisher from the LA Lakers, Peggy from Growing Great (a project that supports school gardens) and Tobey.

The last one is my son planting with a group of kids.

It was a great day, to put it mildly.

The school is 60% Hispanic, 38% African American and 2% other. I asked the kids how many had family or friends that went to Iraq or Afghanistan and somewhere between one third and one half raised their hands.

After the assembly one teacher brought up an eight year old Hispanic boy that was fighting back his tears. She said he was sad because his Dad was getting sent to Iraq. She asked him if he wanted to meet any of the celebrities. He said no, he wanted to meet my son. Greg knelt down in front of him and held his hands. “Your Dad will have lots of friends that will look after him for you”, he said. “Make sure you write him and send him lots of pictures.” An emotional scene for me at the end of a long two days.

(Click image to enlarge)

Addenda:

Access Hollywood covered the event (because there were celebrities involved, obviously) but gave it good publicity. And participant Gabby Reece described the event in her blog.

The creators of the Beginning Farmers site describe it as “an effort to develop a comprehensive and up to date compilation of information resources for new, experienced, and potential farmers, as well as educators, activists, and policy makers interested in the development of new farm enterprises.”

With “special emphasis on resources for small farms, organic farming, direct marketing, and building local food systems.” The site is an effort by Taylor Reid and Jim Bingen of the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies at Michigan State University. (emphasis mine)

The site has many pages including Finding Land, Jobs and Internships, Training Programs and Business Planning. It also offers a Farmers Discussion Forum.

Worth checking out whether you’re a new farmer or an experienced one trying to keep up with the latest research.

FVC’s target number for veterans attending the career fair was modest – we were hoping for at least 50.

In fact, 136 registered in advance or at the door to seek new jobs or career direction. They represented military generations going back to WWII, with many Viet Nam veterans as well as younger vets with service in the past decade.

We introduced this video at the career fair.

FOOD & FARMING

VETERANS CAREER FAIR

March 5, 2010 * 9 AM – 4 PM

Veterans Memorial Building

1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa

Event Coordinator: Linda Speel - linda (at) farmvetco.org

FOR DETAILS, CLICK HERE

Retreat Report

Watch a video of the retreat.

Organic Gardening Magazine Features FVC

Military Does Agriculture, Again

Jim Dunlop: Gulf War Vet, Meat Farmer

Help Needed for Veterans' Farm Cleanup

Marine Veteran Guards a Vineyard

FVC Represents at School Garden Project in LA

A Web Resource for New Farmers

Career Fair Attendance Surpasses FVC Goals

FVC Event to Connect Veterans and Career Opportunities

FOOD & FARMING

VETERANS CAREER FAIR

March 5, 2010 * 9 AM – 4 PM

Veterans Memorial Building

1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa

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