From staff reports
Farmer Veteran Coalition, a national organization that helps veterans become involved in farming, has announced a new funding cycle.
Through Feb. 14, U.S. military veterans interested in launching a farming operation can apply for a grant to help them on their path.
In a news release, program director Rachel Petitt said the organization hopes to raise $500,000 to provide to this year’s grant recipients.
“We recognize this is a lofty goal, but we are really close so it definitely feels achievable,” Petitt said.
Major donors to the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund include Wounded Warriors Project, Kubota, Tractor Supply Co., Homestead Implements, Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, Vital Farms, Sugar Bottom Farm, Barreras Family Farm and Northwest Farm Credit Services.
Now in its 11th year, the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund has granted more than $3.5 million in support of more than 800 military veterans pursuing careers in agriculture.
According to Farmer Veteran Coalition officials, popular requests in 2021 included funding for greenhouses and grow tents, walk-in coolers and cold storage units, milking systems, water filtration units and honey extractors. More unique requests included a mushroom substrate steamer and a copper still. In all, 138 funding requests were met during the 2021 grant cycle.
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund application is available at https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship.
To sponsor equipment for the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund, contact Petitt at rachel@farmvetco.org. To donate to support farmer veterans directly, visit www.farmvetco.org or text GIVE and the dollar amount to (270) 838-3276 (270-VET-FARM).