Land
- The Center for Rural Affair’s Land Link program serves to increase opportunities for beginning farmers while encouraging good stewardship. Computer data base matching and consulting services bring beginning farmers and landowners together. Retirement planning, beginning farmer financing, farm business, and environmental assessment information is used to assist in transferring family operations to a new generation of farmers and ranchers.
- Any veterans can participate in FarmLink‘s aspiring farmer programs.
- To discuss land links (lease or purchase) this means filling out a short questionnaire, sending it in, then discussing any of the land opportunities that our listed on our website. The hitch for linking someone with a retiring farmer or landowner is that we tend to work with people who have some farming experience already. ALBA has a program tailored more for folks with no farming experience. When people come to FarmLink with no farming experience, we encourage them to look into apprentice or educational programs. If there were vets coming from a family farm background or with other farm experience, they would be ready for our linking program. We can also work with any vets who need individual assistance in California on any aspects of land tenure, farm business planning and farm financing.
- 2) We could do an email out to landowners and farmers in our database to determine if any of them would be specifically interested in working with vets in some capacity.
- 3) To the extent that we can raise money to fund additional Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), we can earmark them specifically for vets who are starting their own small farms. This is the program where the beginning farmer puts $100 a month in a bank account and we match it with $300 a month of grant money. At the end of two years, the participant has $9,600 to put towards a farm asset such as a tractor, fencing or irrigation infrastructure. During the two years the participant attends two or three financial literacy type workshops (on business planning, credit, tax management or financing) and puts together a business plan and cash flow projection. (CA FarmLink’s IDA program is the first in the nation specifically serving small farmers). We need $7,200 for each IDA account plus 25% for program support. So it would cost about $18,000 for two accounts. WE have been able to raise funds for about 6 or 7 new applicants each year, for which we have been receiving 25 to 50 applications per year. It is a competitive program, but if we can raise money specifically for vets, that pool of funds would be earmarked for vets only.
- 4) We can outreach to any vets groups about all of FarmLinks programs by getting vet group leaders on our email list, or other means as necessary.
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I am a korean war veteran and am thinking about retiring to a small farm. I’d like more information on what is available in west marin and the veteran’s laon programs that help with the purchase of such properties.
Hello. I am a diabled veteran. I was a gunner on an MRAP, in Afghanistan, when our convoy was hit by an IED. We were then involved in a complex ambush. Being the gunner, I suffered a gunshot wound, scrapnel in my forearm, lost both my knees, and later was diagnosed with severe PTSD and well as a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
I have recently moved to a farm my in-laws own. It is 55 acres and has plenty potential for farm land. The problem being, I am down here alone, with only my wife and 3 year-old daughter. Niether of those would be able to help me, and I have physically, nor mentally, capable of doing it on my own. Where both my right and left knees are gone, I have problems with my mobility and have to rely on a can to move from one place to the other. Thus, is the reason for my request of help. I desperatly need a tractor, riding lawn mover, bushog, or just something that could help me take care of the property, that doesn’t force me to do it on two blown out knees.
I am VERY interested in any type of help that you may be able to give me that would help me learn how to start farming, any euiptment (i.e. tractor, bushog, large riding lawn mower with side deck, barn, storage unit, etc). This would be much appreciated. My doctors and therapist think it would be very beneficial for me to start doing a productive task. They state that this type of activity will help me a great deal in my rehabilitation.
Regardless of what type of assistant you offer, I do beg that you take my situation into account, and find it in your heart to help out a wounded veteran. Please do contact me back and let me know the types of assistant available.
Thank you an God Bless,
Spc. Ben Watts
US Army, Retired
Purple Heart Receipient
I’m also a disabled vet Ben — but of the Cold War, and a USAF veteran enlisted volunteer. My disability is workable – and fortunately I have most of my physical capability still. If you could let me know what part of California you are in .. perhaps I could help in some way. I’m 58, but have some gardening experience – home based true but I’ve published several times in gardening magazines on growing food in non-traditional ways that were quite prolific — I’m in Los Angeles at the moment, but open to other possibilities… if you are still reading this… reply if you can. If you aren’t interested, well… I wish you and your family good luck anyway.
Where do you live, Ben?
where is your farm? does your wife like farming? i just returned from iowa for a farmer veteran coalition on organics and aquaculture (fish) if you are still looking consider this family of four in michigan either way , i too am a vet, so stay in touch ben best of luck
Ben
I am located in fairfield ca and currently farming and looking to start production a property in capay ca if you would like to talk, i have been around farming for a while and would be glad to share anything i can with you.
Michael Hoolihan
Farm Manager Blondie’s Farm
Fairfield Ca
USMC Sgt 1990-1998
Hello everyone i m a former marine i was try to figure out how can i get help starting my own farm but i also have experience a lot but just stay strong brothers in arms
Hi, I’m an Iraqi War vet whose discharged under honorable medical conditions. I’ve been having trouble readjusting to civilian life, recently relocated to Louisiana and want to farm. Being in the country has been the only form of therapy that works can anyone help me in regards to land acquisition, thanx.
I am a vet from the gulf war era. Im growing produce now.. But need help with alot of things from seeds to land, Im in the south Ga area Can you help me with some pointers Thanks.
Ben, Let me know where you are, I am from Northern California, with experience in fruit trees, vegetable produce, poultry, and beef. I may have some equipment that can help you out. I will be discharged honorably in August of next year, and plan on helping my in-laws on their ranch.. Im sure we could talk and work a few things out.
V/r,
BU2 (SCW/SW/DV) Garrison Hardisty USN
garrison.hardisty@gmail.com
I’m an OIF vet who served with 4-64 AR Bn, 3ID in OIF III & V. I got medically discharged Nov. 2010 and moved back to Oklahoma where I leased 6 acres of land, I initially planned to raise pigs but woke up one day with something else in mind, unsure why or where the idea came from but instead of buying pigs I bought a small herd of Tibetan Yaks! Their amazing animals, just watching them and interacting with them is awesome for my PTSD and I think it would help heal others like myself!
Esley J Holmes II
4-64ar Tuskers
cheesy_e_16@yahoo.com