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Post 9/11, an Army Reservist was activated and deployed to Iraq.  During his deployment, he was injured in combat and sustained a severe head injury.  This soldier returned home and began the long process of rehabilitation.

As a reservist, this soldier also owned and operated his own business.  During the deployment and long recovery process, he suffered another loss when both his home and business were foreclosed.  Now, he was not only injured physically, but emotionally devastated from the financial impact on his family.

As he slowly recovered, he visited a friend’s farm.  To his surprise, working with the cattle and horses provided this veteran with some much needed healing.  (He is not the first veteran to discover the therapeutic benefits to Equine Therapy and working with animals.)

To continue his rehabilitation, the family purchased an old Amish property in upstate New York with the plan to turn the property into a cattle ranch.  However, the farm and farm house required additional work.

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition stepped forward to help fund the cattle business for the family.  However, it was beyond their mission to finance work that needed to be done to the farm house.  Winters in upstate New York are frigid and without proper siding, this veteran and his family would suffer throughout the season.

Hope For The Warriors® was contacted to assist this veteran and his family by paying for the siding to the old farm house.  Through our A Warrior’s Wish® program, we granted his Wish so that this family could be together in a warm home.

True to the values of our military members, this veteran has already started giving back to others.  He has invited local veterans in his area to the farm so they too can benefit from working with livestock. In the future, he plans to host an Equine Therapy program on his farm, helping veterans to overcome their visible and invisible wounds.

USDA GRANTS NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN VETERANS 

USDA Risk Management Agency to sponsor Farmer-Veteran Coalition event for Summer 2012

Davis, Ca November 2011–USDA Risk Management Agency has granted the Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC), with help from Annie’s Project of Iowa,  the funds to host the “Empowering Women Veterans:  Success in Agriculture Business and Well-Being” conference in Davis, Ca in July of 2012. This conference, the first of its kind, aims to bring women veterans together in an environment that is specifically designed to address their unique experiences and needs in agriculture.

Women veterans are an underserved and underrepresented growing population, according to FVC. The 2006 American Community Survey states, “As a proportion of the veteran population, women went from nearly 4 percent in 1980 to…6 percent in 2003…and projected to increase steadily: 8 percent in 2010…and 10 percent by 2020.” Upon entry into the civilian population, women veterans face high unemployment rates as do their male veteran peers. This conference will bring women leaders in business and agriculture to speak to the veterans about the challenges faced by women in these sectors and the programs that are available to specifically help women succeed.

“FVC sees the importance of women veterans making connections with other women veterans,” says FVC Fellowship Fund Director Tia Christopher.  “This opportunity will raise awareness of the attendees’ national and local benefits and resources and will address their needs both as veterans and as farmers. These powerful women will have a chance to learn about and take with them valuable resources which will support and ease their transition into agriculture.” At the conference, expert instructors will provide seminars on creating a successful business plan, as well as on agriculture specific topics and how to mitigate the major risks associated with farming.

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition seeks to mobilize our food and farming community to create healthy and viable futures for veterans on America’s farms.  Annie’s Project is an educational program dedicated to strengthening women’s roles in the modern farm enterprise.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Emily Randall

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

(530) 756-1395

emily@farmvetco.org

Davis, Ca - September 23, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FVC’s “Coming Home to Farm” Retreat a Great Success!

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition, in cooperation with the National Center for Appropriate Technology, hosted the “Coming Home to Farm” Retreat in Elkins Park, PA on the weekend of August 19-21. This was the last in a year-long series of events funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency intended to introduce new veteran farmers to various areas of agriculture and risk management practices.

The retreat was an important step for these veterans, giving them opportunities to see successful farms and to learn from successful farmers. They visited four different farms and received presentations from two very knowledgeable men working in agriculture. This experience gives the veterans courage, reassuring them that their farming feats are possible and manageable. One of the veteran attendees explains that, “moving from a military identity to a farming identity is daunting. This event and organization bring together my two passions and help me to start building a support group.”

The veterans visited Penny Pack Farms, a CSA that also functioned as an educational center, teaching inner city (Philadelphia) youths about agriculture and organic practices. They also toured Peace Tree farms; an incredible, high-tech organic greenhouse. The owner/operator described why they took their high tech approach to growing as well as his process for deciding on what new equipment to purchase. In addition, the veterans ventured onto the Seva Retreat grounds where a local farmer grows a staggering array of crops and cut flowers using SPIN methods. They were able to see, firsthand, the potential of a SPIN farm. Chris Ritthaler, the National Veteran Outreach Coordinator for FVC explains, “the farms that the veterans toured at this retreat were each extremely unique and showed the wide diversity present in today’s small scale agricultural operations.”

Jason Foscolo, a former Marine Corps Judge Advocate who now specializes in food and agriculture law gave an excellent presentation during the retreat. He stressed that farmers and food producers are treated differently under the law, and that the farmers should understand how to gainfully utilize these important distinction. Andy Pressman, an employee of NCAT and a National Instructor for SPIN Farming talked in depth about the concept and application of SPIN. He generated a great deal of interest from the veterans who had limited land resources as well as from those looking at new ways to increase yield in their own small plot gardens.

Overall, the “Coming Home to Farm” retreat was a major success, generating a higher turnout than expected and even accumulating a waiting list.  The veterans learned a great deal and are now better equipped to return to their own farming efforts with boosted confidence and newly acquired educational tools. Farmer-Veteran Coalition is glad to put on these events and looks forward to hosting more in the future!                                                                                   ###



MEDIA CONTACT:

Emily Randall

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

(530) 756-1395

emily@farmvetco.org

Davis, Ca – August 19, 2011

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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MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Ritthaler

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

(530) 756-1395

chris@farmvetco.org

Davis, Ca – August 4, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Farmer-Veteran Coalition Awards Six Bob Woodruff Farming Fellows

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) announced today the first six of its Bob Woodruff Farming Fellows.  Through a generous donation from the Bob Woodruff Foundation, FVC, the nation’s leading non-profit connecting military veterans with careers in agriculture, is helping combat-disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan achieve their dreams of becoming farmers.

In June Alex was medically retired after four combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. During his recovery from severe injuries sustained in Iraq, Alex was told he would never walk again. Defying the odds, Alex not only walks but has purchased a forty acre farm in North Carolina where he is building a heritage poultry business with his fiancé Jessie. Through the Woodruff grant, FVC purchased breeding, incubating, and processing equipment for Alex to start his hatchery and build other infrastructure for his birds.  RAFI-USA, one of FVC’s many partners, has been advising Alex on both production and farm financing.

David was medically retired as a Major in the US Army Reserve after serving over 20 years. In 2001 he was mobilized to help in the aftermath at Ground Zero and then deployed to Iraq where he sustained a severe head injury on his second tour and miraculously survived. After fifteen months at Walter Reed Army Hospital, David found healing on a friend’s farm – in working with the horses and cattle. “I found working with livestock to be an incredibly rewarding experience and very therapeutic. I found I could live life fully again, have a sense of belonging, purpose, self-worth and joy – things that were missing for far too long after my injury and during extended rehabilitation,” David said. With help from the Bob Woodruff Foundation and FarmTek, FVC has bought David electric fencing and is working to raise additional money to get David a new tractor to help with his new cattle ranch in upstate New York.

Jeremiah served five years in the Marine Corps before enlisting in the Army to pursue a career in Special Forces. After his 2011 discharge, Jeremiah and his family recently relocated to Connecticut to start an organic farm on family land.

“I believe in the American Small Farm and think it has a crucial part to play in the local economy and the community. I consider myself a patriot of this country and believe this is the best way I can continue to support and help her grow,” Jeremiah wrote after receiving his Fellowship.  With Bob Woodruff funds, and a generous discount from FarmTek, the supplier, FVC has purchased Jeremiah a production level greenhouse for his vegetable starts.

Althea joined the Navy during Operation Desert Shield. During her 20 year career the military took to places in the world she never thought she would go and taught her job skills she was always ready to learn. Althea deployed as a Navy Seabee to Kuwait and Iraq where she maintained security for base camps and was a convoy commander.  Along with her brother Matthew, Althea recently inherited family land in coastal Georgia, the sixth generation of African-American farmers to farm the land. Althea is using her Bob Woodruff grant to cover the cost of a hoop house, water development, and soil development for the family business, which they plan to build into an organic citrus and herb farm and eventually add a restaurant.

“Spence” spent 9 years in the US Army Reserve, deploying as a machine gunner to Iraq. While on an escort mission in Baghdad, Spence was thrown from the gunner’s hatch resulting in serious back and neck injuries.  Almost entirely by himself, Spence has carved a farm for his family out of the side of a mountain in Northwest Arkansas. The property is truly breath-taking with evidence of Spence’s handiwork from the stacks of firewood to hand built chicken coops and carts. Through the Bob Woodruff Foundation, FVC has purchased Spence a used tractor, front-end loader and brush hog. Up to now he has done everything by hand or through a costly as-needed rental basis.

Justin grew up on his parent’s dairy farm in upstate New York, near the Canadian border. “I joined the military actually to get away from farming. I enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps but I wanted to come back home to the farm and small town. This is where I belonged,” Justin declares.  Justin has used his Fellowship money to start an Angus beef herd on the same property with his parents’ dairy farm. Along with assisting Justin financially, FVC’s Fellowship Fund mentors have been integral in helping Justin develop a business plan and gain confidence in running his business.

Four more Bob Woodruff Farming Fellows will be named soon.  The process of organizing the fund, screening applicants and mentoring the veterans has been facilitated by the Fellowship Fund Advisory panel, made up of seasoned experts and business leaders in America’s agricultural community. These include Paul Willis, Niman Ranch Pork: Maria Miller, National Farmers Union; Sandra Belin, Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo; Don Roberts, Driscoll Berries and Joe Judge, Judge Family Vineyards. The panel not only oversees the granting process, but mentors the veterans as well.In addition to the Bob Woodruff Farming Fellowships, FVC has granted two scholarships to disabled veterans to attend the Archi’s Acres Veteran Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) program though money donated by California Association of Micro-enterprise Organizations (CAMEO) and AT&T.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Ritthaler

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

(530) 756-1395 chris@farmvetco.org

Davis, Ca – August 3, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

USDA’s Risk Management Agency Funds Fifth FVC Retreat:”A Call to Farms” Pennsylvania 2011

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are making last minute preparations for “A Call to Farms”, a two and a half day intensive crop production workshop in Elkins Park, PA, August 19-August 21, 2011. This educational workshop includes farm tours and hands-on learning opportunities at small-scale intensive fruit, vegetable, and cut flower operations, as well as presentations on sustainable soil management, intensive crop production techniques, farm planning, and marketing.

“A Call to Farms” is sponsored by the FVC—a non-profit organization that assists veterans pursuing careers in food and farming– and the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the United States Department of Agriculture. This free event is the fifth in a series of retreats following ones held in California, Iowa and Arkansas.

“These retreats give veteran farmers an amazing opportunity to come together and learn about a wide range of agricultural areas and practices,” says Chris Ritthaler, the National Veteran Outreach Coordinator for FVC, “Hopefully the attendees can then return to their communities and implement the practices that they are exposed to, and be successful in their chosen field. “NCAT, a national non-profit with a regional office in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), are coordinating the farm tours, logistics, and presentations for “A Call to Farms.” Meals will feature local products from many of the farms that are visited.

On May 15, veterans and many family members attended the “Armed to Farm” retreat in Northwest Arkansas. Besides FVC, NCAT and the RMA, support also came from the University of Arkansas. The retreat focused on sustainable poultry and small ruminant production. Hands-on tours of chicken, pork, sheep and goats were given throughout the two days, interspersed with meals prepared with local produce and the meats of the farms we visited.  Every veteran had the opportunity to milk a goat, clean their hooves, take a sheep into submission, check their eyelids for intestinal health, handle pigs and build a portable chicken coop.

In July, the “Coming Home to Farm” retreat in central Iowa focused on Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. A major donation came from Blue River Hybrids, one of the nation’s largest producers of organic, non-GMO field seed.  Tours included farmer’s markets, a local vineyard, an organic apple orchard, an organic CSA and a father-son organic soybean, corn, beef and pork farm. The son, Jeff Hafford, had also served two tours in Afghanistan and shared his newest project, aquaponics, with the eager veterans. Well-known chef, Donna Pritzingas, prepared an evening feast on the farm featuring all local cheese, produce and Niman Ranch pork.

On February 25, veterans attended the “Good Food Educational Retreat for Veterans” in Los Angeles. The focus was introducing veterans to opportunities in urban agriculture and to the movement to bring healthy food into America’s food deserts. One day was spent planting community gardens at four underserved schools and one hospital. The second day included informational tours of two large organic distributors; both of which spoke about employment opportunities as well as how to enter the wholesale marketplace. Evening talks were given on urban farming, hydroponics and campaigns to create urban gardens and food distribution.

“Many more retreats are planned with partners throughout the country in the coming year,” said O’Gorman.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Ritthaler

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

(530)7561395

chris@farmvetco.org

Davis, Ca – July 13th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“A Call to Farms” Workshop Prepares Veterans for Careers in Intensive Crop Production

Now Accepting Applications for Vets for the August 19-21 Training in Pennsylvania

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are now accepting applications from veterans who seek a career in sustainable farming. “A Call to Farms” is a two and a half day intensive crop production workshop in Elkins Park, PA., August 19- August 21, 2011. This educational workshop includes farm tours and hands-on learning opportunities at small-scale intensive fruit, vegetable, and cut-flower operations, as well as presentations on sustainable soil management, intensive crop production techniques, farm planning, and marketing.

“A Call to Farms” is sponsored by the FVC—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. “A Call to Farms” 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.

“This retreat gives veteran farmers an amazing opportunity to come together and learn about a wide range of agricultural areas and practices,” says Chris Ritthaler, the National Veteran Outreach Coordinator for FVC, “ Hopefully the attendees can then return to their communities and implement the practices that they are exposed to in Pennsylvania, and be successful in their chosen field.”

By learning the skills to commercially farm on small land bases, whether it is a few acres in rural America or a backyard in the city, veterans can secure agricultural employment in their communities and help rejuvenate America.

NCAT, a national non-profit with a regional office in Pennsylvania, with the support of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), are coordinating the farm tours, logistics, and presentations for the “A Call to Farms.” Meals will feature local products from many of the farms that are visited.  Space is limited to 24 veterans and their families, so sign up today!

Interested veterans can apply by contacting Chris Ritthaler, at the Farmer Veteran Coalition at (530) 756-1395 or by email at chris@farmvetco.org.

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) finds returning veterans employment, training, and places to heal on America’s farms. By mobilizing farming communities to create healthy and viable futures for America’s veterans, vets are in a unique position to build our green economy, rebuild our rural communities, and secure a safe and healthy food supply. The Farmer-Veteran Coalition is a project of Community Partners. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.farmvetco.org or call 530.756.1395.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a non-profit dedicated to helping people – particularly economically disadvantaged people – by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions for agriculture, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.  NCAT helps family farmers, government agencies, small businesses, other nonprofits, and low income organizations learn about sustainable energy, agriculture, and community development opportunities through trainings, publications, websites, technical assistance, and telephone help lines. To learn more, visit www.ncat.org.

The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) works to bring farmers together to learn from each other, and to build relationships between those farmers and consumers looking for fresh, wholesome, locally and sustainably produced food. As the largest statewide, member-based sustainable farming organization in the United States, PASA seeks to improve the economic viability, environmental soundness and social responsibility of food and farming systems in Pennsylvania and across the country.

The Risk Management Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture helps producers manage their business risks through effective, market-based risk management solutions to preserve and strengthen the economic stability of America’s agricultural producers. For more information, visit http://www.rma.usda.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Ritthaler

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

(530) 756-1395

chris@farmvetco.org

Davis, Ca – July 6, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Midwest Organic Farming Retreat Prepares Veterans for Careers on America’s Farms

The Farmer Veteran Coalition is accepting applications from veterans who seek a career in farming and wish to attend “Coming Home to Farm,” a two and a half day organic farming retreat in Iowa next week on July 14-16, 2011. Spots are filling up quickly, so if you’re interested, sign up asap! The educational retreat includes farm tours of sustainable grain, vegetable, and livestock operations, as well as presentations on organic certification, production techniques, and marketing.

“We are excited to offer a farmer-veteran retreat in America’s heartland,” says Michael O’Gorman, executive director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. “Vets are already accustomed to hard work, discipline and dedication, and are in a unique position to strengthen Midwest family farms, the sustainable farming movement, and local and regional food systems.”

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

Sponsored by Blue River Hybrids of Kelley, Iowa—the leading producer of organic field seed—and the Risk Management Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, “Coming Home to Farm” is free to 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 career. The retreat participants are fortunate to be able to eat pork donated by Niman Ranch and other fresh, local food from the surrounding farms.

Blue River Hybrids is the leading supplier of organic lines of corn, sudangrass, and sunflower hybrids, as well as soybean, red clover, and alfalfa varieties. Organic farmers choose Blue River Hybrids for dependable performance, backed by an ongoing commitment to organic product development. Blue River Hybrids organic seed is sold by more than 100 dealers and distributors across the United States. To learn more, visit www.blueriverorgseed.com or call 800.370.7979.

The Risk Management Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture helps producers manage their business risks through effective, market-based risk management solutions to preserve and strengthen the economic stability of America’s agricultural producers. For more information, visit http://www.rma.usda.gov.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in Des Moines, Iowa is coordinating the Iowa farm tours, logistics, and presentations for the “Coming Home to Farm” retreat. NCAT is a non-profit dedicated to helping people and communities adopt technologies that save energy and resources. This organization helps family farmers, government agencies, small businesses, other nonprofits, and low income organizations learn about sustainable energy, agriculture, and community development opportunities through training, publications, websites, technical assistance, and telephone help lines. To learn more, visit www.ncat.org.

The FVC is now accepting applications from vets for July 2011 “Coming Home to Farm” Retreat in Iowa; hurry while spots are available! Interested veterans can apply by contacting Chris Ritthaler, National Veteran Outreach Coordinator with the Farmer Veteran Coalition at 530-756-1395 or chris@farmvetco.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Emily Randall

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

emily@farmvetco.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Farmer Veteran Coalition Organizes Work Party for Local Veteran’s Farm

Friday, July 8th, The Farmer Veteran Coalition will be joined by over 50 volunteers to help veteran Vonita Murray on her farm in Woodland, CA.  This exciting day of community support will be doubly exciting because it will be filmed. FVC has been chosen as a candidate to air on an upcoming episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  For this entire season, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be building homes for veterans and for people helping veterans. During these episodes, the show will feature groups around the country that are working with veterans. Cross your fingers that FVC will be chosen to be featured on the show! Good Morning Sacramento will also be coming out to film a separate segment for their show earlier Friday morning. Both segments will feature FVC staff, veterans from UC Davis, and the local community volunteering at Mariposa Valley Farm, owned by Vonita Murray, a disabled Navy veteran. They will be harvesting produce, ridding the farm of weeds, and possibly even erecting a donating green house!

This volunteer day will not only help Vonita but will also show support for our nation’s veterans and the mission of FVC. Michael O’Gorman, FVC Executive Director explains, “Our veterans came home with a tremendous sense of service. Vonita is continuing to serve her country through growing food, and this Friday the community is showing their support by helping Vonita.”

A reporter and a photographer from Good Morning Sacramento will be arriving at Mariposa Valley Farm at 8:45am on Friday, July 8th for a live interview with Vonita and Farmer Veteran Coalition staff as well as a shoot of the volunteers in action! The refreshments for this event will be provided by Nugget Market and the local Starbucks will be contributing the morning coffee. The Home Depot Foundation and Woodland Home Depot have also graciously donated gift cards to make the work involved in this project possible. Our submission for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be filmed at noon and the segment will feature the volunteers at work in the field, showing the immense support for Vonita and for the work that FVC does.

FVC helps veterans, like Vonita, enter into the field of farming, which not only helps to decrease the unemployment rate among returning veterans, but also contributes to the effort to expand the America’s farming industry. Vonita Murray is a wonderful example of this and FVC is excited to lend a hand and to give her farm the coverage it deserves.

Vonita Murray is looking forward to this opportunity because the volunteer work will be a great help to her farm and it will also give her a chance to build her community supported agriculture (CSA). She explains that she would like to “build a community, a smaller, more personal CSA that can become a family and really feel like part of the farm.” Murray describes her ideal CSA experience in which “everyone can have a say in what they get and the farm can promote healthy living in every aspect-spiritual, physical, and mental.” She is hoping to have yoga under her orchard and eventually erect a track around her farm on which members of the community can run. Through her experience as a veteran, Murray claims that she has “come in contact with many amazing people and organizations”, and also that if she “has a goal, [she] will not stop until it is has been reached”. She can easily apply this mentality to her work as an organic farmer, and it is clear how passionate she is about beginning an intimate community through her farm.

Stay tuned for when the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show will air! If there are further questions regarding this event, please feel free to contact us at info@farmvetco.org, visit our website at www.farmvetco.org or follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/farmerveterancoalition!

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Risk Management Agency

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sabir Brara

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

818-635-0780, 530-756-1395

sabir@farmvetco.org

Davis, CA – February 7, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

USDA Funded Farmer-Veteran Retreats Set in Four States

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition announced today four upcoming educational farming retreats planned this spring and summer through funding received primarily from the Risk Management Agency of the US Department of Agriculture. The retreats will take place in Southern California, Arkansas, Iowa and Pennsylvania.  Each one will have a unique curriculum and theme and will offer valuable lessons to veterans starting out in all aspects of the agricultural industry.

Each retreat will entail two packed days of visits to farms, food companies and talks by industry leaders with the intention of giving military veterans interested in food and farming tools to understand and reduce some of the risks to launching successful careers.

The events, which also include funding from FVC, and corporate sponsors, are free for all veterans and active-duty military personnel interested in or currently farming.  However, due to limited spacing preference will be given to those that have demonstrated the most serious interest in pursuing food and farming careers and to post 9-11 veterans nearer the beginning of their careers.

The Los Angeles retreat will focus on urban farming, school gardens and the work being done to bring healthy food into the city’s food deserts.  The group will initially gather on the evening of Thursday, March 24.   The educational curriculum the next two days will include a tour of the city’s wholesale produce market, a culinary academy, urban farming and a chance to get hands in the dirt and help Teaching Garden, a Southern California based project that establishes edible gardens at many of the nation’s poorest schools.

“Our goal is to give veterans a new mission,” said FVC Director Michael O’Gorman, “and putting in these gardens for the children is a great way to learn and serve at the same time.”

The Arkansas retreat will be based around Fayetteville on May 20-22.   This retreat and the ones in Iowa and Pennsylvania will be co-sponsored by NCAT (National Center for Appropriate Technology).   This retreat will focus on sustainable poultry and small ruminant production (goats and sheep) but will include tours to area fruit and vegetable farms as well. The tours will be led by NCAT’s poultry expert and chicken farmer, Terrell Spencer, who is also a combat veteran of the Iraq war.

The majority of funding for the Iowa retreat is coming from Blue River Hybrids, the country’s leading supplier of organic and non-GMO seed corn, soybeans and forages.  The July 15-16 retreat, dubbed “Coming Home to Farm”, will be centered between Des Moines and Ames and will focus on organic and sustainable farming practices.  Besides tours of organic and sustainable grain, vegetable, pork and wine production, classes will be given on how to become organically certified and how to turn production techniques into marketing advantage.

The fourth retreat will be held near Shavertown, Pennsylvania on August 20-21.  Being located in the Southeast corner of the state, near large metropolitan areas, this retreat will focus on techniques to produce high yields and profitable farms off of limited acreage.   NCAT staff will give a tour of their ‘SPIN’ project – “small plot intensive agriculture” – and tours of greenhouse, hydroponic and aquaponics production.

FVC hopes to add additional retreats later in the year and is working with groups in California, Washington State, Indiana and elsewhere to host one-day educational farm tours for veterans throughout the year.  Veterans interested in attending any of these events or finding out about other services of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition are urged to contact us at info@farmvetco.org, check out our website, www.farmvetco.org and follow us on Face Book.  We urge you to get involved!

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Sabir Brara

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

818-635-0780, 530-756-1395

sabir@farmvetco.org

Davis, CA – January 20, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Bob Woodruff Foundation Funds Fellowship to Help Wounded Veterans Begin Farming

The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) has awarded a grant to the Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) to assist wounded warriors in launching successful careers in food and farming.  The grant will award ten $5,000 individual Bob Woodruff Foundation Farming Fellowships over the course of 2011, focusing on veterans injured while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn.

Each fellowship can be used for school, training, or the purchase of farming materials or equipment.  The Fellowship Fund will be overseen by a national panel of food and farming leaders who will evaluate candidates as well as assign awardees with a mentor/advisor selected and trained by FVC.  When possible, FVC will match the Bob Woodruff Foundation Farming Fellowships with another $5,000 in cash assistance or farming materials through further donations.

Bob Woodruff, an ABC reporter, was seriously injured while embedded with US troops in Iraq in 2006.  The foundation, started by Bob and his wife Lee, has raised over 8.6 million dollars to help heal both the physical and psychological wounds of war. ReMind.org is the public education movement of the Bob Woodruff Foundation that educates the public about the needs of injured service members, veterans and their families as they reintegrate into their communities.

The grant also provides critical initial funds for FVC to establish the Farmer-Veteran Fellowship Fund. FVC intends to  then raise and distribute other donations, both monetary and  in-kind contributions of materials such as seed, fertilizers, irrigation equipment, new and used farm equipment, and breeding stock for animal production to both disabled and able bodied veterans.  This support will have transformative impact on the onset of their careers.

The advisory panel, which is still being formed, includes: Sandra Belin, co-founder and owner of Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo; Matt McCue, Iraq war veteran and co-owner and manager of Shooting Star CSA; Paul Willis, Iowa farmer and President of Niman Ranch Pork; and Joe Judge, co-owner and operator of Judge Family Vineyards and President of Bennett Valley Grapegrowers in Sonoma, California.     The Farmer-Veteran Coalition, a project of  Community Partners,  is a national organization connecting military veterans with opportunities for employment, training, and places to heal on America’s farms. Parties interested in providing support to the fellowship or general support to FVC can reach us at info@farmvetco.org or call (530)-756-1395.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Sabir Brara

Farmer-Veteran Coalition

818-635-0780, 530-756-1395 sabir@farmvetco.org

Davis, CA – November 3, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

USDA Funds the Farmer-Veteran Coalition to Transition Veterans into Agriculture Careers

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has announced that The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) will receive a grant from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) to assist the transition of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars into careers in farming.

A project of Community Partners and a member of the Coalition for Iraq + Afghanistan Veterans (CIAV), FVC was started by farmers with life-long careers in agriculture.  The grant award will enable them “to share (their) experiences with recent military veterans and to assist them in using their many relevant skills to create a new generation of innovative, ecological, and financially successful young farmers.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity,” said FVC Director and Founder Michael O’Gorman.  “It really shows the USDA’s commitment to reach out to the veteran community – one ripe with young people who have the character, the interest, and the talent to become great farmers.”

Secretary Vilsack has repeatedly made notice that “Rural America makes us 1/6 of the population of the United States; those who serve us in uniform, 45% come from rural communities.” – a fact that has been a catalyst for the work of the FVC.  FVC started addressing veteran unemployment through its veteran-agriculture programs since early 2009, making increasing ripples in tackling this major issue.

The RMA’s ‘Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program’ will fund five educational retreats hosted and facilitated by FVC around the country to introduce veterans to farming opportunities and to resources available to start businesses, buy land, and overcome disabilities.

The first of these retreats will take place in Oakland, California on November 12^th through the 14^th.   This retreat will introduce around 25 veterans to all aspects of the movement to bring good food to all Americans:  urban farming, school gardens, inner-city food distribution, regional farming, culinary arts and wine-making.  The weekend retreat will include visits to farmers markets, an urban farming project, a renowned bakery and several area farms run by young veterans

.Additional retreats will take place in 2011 in Southern California, Arkansas, Iowa and Pennsylvania.   The grant will also fund the development and publication of a Resource Guide for Beginning Farmer-Veterans.  The latter three will be done in partnership with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).  The Iowa retreat has received extra funding from Blue River Hybrids, the nation’s largest producer of organic non-GMO field seed, and the retreat will feature visits to organic farms.

Please read more on the Farmer-Veteran Coalition and its programs at www.farmvetco.org.