FVC Welcomes New National Veteran Outreach Coordinator

Education, Employment, Feature Stories 5 Responses »

Jun 132011

Hello Everyone,

My name is Chris Ritthaler and I am the new National Veteran Outreach Coordinator here at Farmer Veteran Coalition. I am a USMC vet (2002-2006) and a recent graduate of UC Davis where I was a rafting and backcountry guide and a student manager for the Outdoor Adventures Program. My agriculture background has mainly been limited to helping out at a family friend’s vineyard, though I have an aunt who raises beef cattle in New Hampshire. The family also used to raise Morgan horses, before my time, but I’m still somewhat involved in the equestrian world by playing groom for my fiancée and her Eventing horse.

One of my duties at FVC will be personally cultivating relationships with veterans and supporters who are new to the program so we can flawlessly integrate everyone into the Coalition. I will also be reaching out to our established veterans and partners to find out ongoing needs. You all will have a chance to meet me in person at any of our upcoming retreats, in Iowa (July 14-17) and in Pennsylvania (August 18-21). You should all try to attend one of the retreats as we have amazing events and speakers lined up. These retreats provide an opportunity to meet fellow veteran farmers as well as agricultural industry reps and educators, while learning new things that can benefit your farms and communities. Plus, they are a ton of fun. Just ask those who were at our Arkansas retreat last month. I’m excited to be joining the FVC Team and can’t wait to get to know everyone involved.

In the short time I have been at FVC I have already heard from many organizations who are interested in helping the FVC mission, and we are working hard to establish new joint opportunities in new locations throughout the US. The FVC is growing by leaps and bounds to better serve our Farmer Veteran Community and I am proud to be a part of it.

Sincerely,

Chris Ritthaler

chris@farmvetco.org

Arkansas “Armed to Farm” Retreat Prepares Veterans for Careers in Sustainable Livestock

Agriculture, Education, Events 3 Responses »

May 032011

Now Accepting Applications for May 20-22 Training

May 2, 2011—Davis, CA—The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (www.farmvetco.org) is now accepting applications from veterans who seek a career in farming and want to attend “Armed to Farm,” a two and a half day sustainable livestock retreat in Fayetteville, Arkansas from May 20-May 22, 2011. This educational retreat includes farm tours and hands-on learning opportunities at sustainable livestock operations, as well as presentations on soil, pastures, livestock production, farm planning, and marketing

Sponsored by the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Davis, CA—a non-profit organization that assists veterans with employment, training, and placement on America’s farms—and the Risk Management Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, “Armed to Farm” is free for both veterans and active-duty military personnel. Due to limited spacing, preference will be given to veterans who have demonstrated a serious interest in pursuing food and farming careers, and to post-9/11 veterans who are near the beginning of their careers.

“We are looking forward to having something practical to offer veterans, that will also work towards building a community amongst farming veterans,” says Michael Porter, director of the FVC career development. “This one of the greatest agriculture regions of the country, and the FVC is thrilled to work in strengthening the farming-veteran network there”

More than 40 percent of America’s men and women in uniform are from rural communities. When veterans receive training and secure agricultural employment in those communities, rural America is rejuvenated.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in Fayetteville is coordinating the farm tours, logistics, and presentations for the “Armed to Farm” retreat and has created a hands-on learning experience. NCAT’s sustainable poultry specialist, Terrell Spence, himself a two-tour Iraq war veteran, says participants will learn to milk goats, do a health inspection of sheep and build a chicken coop. Meals will feature local produce,meat and eggs from the farms that are visited.

Interested Veterans can apply by contacting Michael Porter, at the Farmer Veteran Coalition at (530) 756-1395 or by email at info@farmvetco.org.

Documenting the Farmer-Veteran Story

Agriculture, Education, Feature Stories, Veterans Comments Off

Feb 042011

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.

Retreat Report

Agriculture, Education, Events, Innovation, Organic, Veterans No Responses »

Jun 042010

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.

VA Funding Cut Hits Archi's Acres

Education, Employment, Organic, Press, Veterans 1 Response »

Apr 062010

CNN broadcast a followup story today about our friends at Archi’s Acres near San Diego, reporting on the Veteran Administrations pulling the funding that had been supporting the veterans, who work and train in hydroponic gardening on the farm owned by Marine veteran Colin Archipley and his wife, Karen. We do hope that the VA replaces that source of funding for this very worthy operation.

Upcoming Organic Farming Retreat in Santa Cruz, CA

Education, Events, Organic, Veterans 1 Response »

Mar 312010

FVC will be having a three day Organic Farming Veteran Educational Retreat in and around Santa Cruz, California over Memorial Day Weekend. We have housing near the beach and will do tours of TLC Ranch (range-fed chickens, lamb and pigs), Jacobs Farm (organic herbs), Swanton Berry Farm (strawberries) and one vegetable operation. There will be lectures given by some of the real pioneers in organic farming – a great learning opportunity for veterans interested in farming.

Contact our office for more information.

1 (530) 756-1395

FVC Represents at School Garden Project in LA

Agriculture, Education, Events, Press, Veterans No Responses »

Mar 222010

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.

Our First Career Fair - a Slide Show

Education, Employment, Events, Veterans No Responses »

Mar 182010

Professional photographer Susanna Frohman took some wonderful photos and portraits of veterans at the Fair. If you were there, I’m sure you noticed her.

It was a lively event where many good connections were made – between veterans and employers, veterans and agriculture advocates, FVC and farming veterans. The portraits show only a part of the 140+ veterans who attended.

Settle in, click the PLAY arrow and enjoy. Music by Tony Dee

A Web Resource for New Farmers

Agriculture, Education, Farms, Innovation No Responses »

Mar 112010

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.