Farming uses many of the same skills essential to the ethos of the U.S. military: hard work, attention to detail and service before self, to name a few.
In 2013, Veterans to Farmers launched to allow Veterans to re-utilize those skills while taking on the challenge of continuing to feed our growing nation and securing our food sovereignty. Its classes provide the hands-on training needed to learn about the many ways a Veteran may participate in agriculture. Although the word “agriculture” summons to mind rows of food and huge tractors, agriculture is really much, much more, with dozens of ways to contribute.
Since 2013, Veterans to Farmers has trained more than 150 Veterans, preparing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to start a farm, work on a farm and grow their own food.
It has not taken the organization by surprise that its classes have been predominantly male.
With that in mind, Veterans to Farmers is determined to expand agricultural opportunities to women Veterans. Currently, 17.3% of the active-duty U.S. military is comprised of women. Those women contribute to the readiness and well-being of the military community across the globe.
Much like the military, women in agriculture are often underrepresented. Only 33% of women in the United States make up the agricultural labor force. And of that, only 14% of those women own their own farm, controlling a meager 7% of farmland in the United States.
You can turn through the pages of history and find it covered with women that changed the trajectory of agriculture. They are seldom recognized for their contributions, but without them we wouldn’t have things like modern genetics, new and revolutionary farm equipment or agriculture in general. Evidence suggests that women started collecting seeds in the fertile lands we now call the Middle East. And from that simple act, the birth of civilization was made possible at the hands of women.
It’s pleasing to report that, in the U.S. military and in agriculture, signs point to rising numbers of women in both fields of work!
To date, Veterans to Farmers has partnered with the Denver Botanic Gardens and Altius Farms in Denver. You will meet some of Colorado’s most remarkable women farmers in both places. These farmers plan, plant and harvest thousands of pounds of beautiful food each season for the local community. Farming is arduous work, and running a farm is even more complicated. Veterans to Farmers aims to help the Veteran “beginning farmer” start with the community and resources necessary for success.
The USDA farm bill defines a beginning farmer as someone who has materially and substantially participated in any farm or ranch operation for 10 years or less. In the attempt to provide more access for Veterans and women, the bill categorizes them as a “socially disadvantaged” group, providing increased funding for the beginning farmer. You can learn more about this on the USDA’s website.
The nucleus of the Veterans to Farmers’ mission is offering Veterans a holistic approach to community and post-traumatic growth. The organization is honored to provide Veterans with a healthy space to learn and connect with other Veterans while learning new skills. It’s operating on the notion that with enough of us answering the call, Veterans can make a notable impact in feeding their communities.
Visit the Veterans to Farmers website to learn more.
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I live in New York City. I think this is a great program would like to participate in it. Please advise I am a disabled women veteran.
Wow. To any individual stating that women do not contribute to the success of our US Military or saying this is special treatment because they are apparently too inept to actually read a full article and too cowardly to leave full names, YOU are the ones with no place in our military and NO place in this country. But I’m sure you’ll be just fine in your little boy compound, sucking your thumb in a few years, fighting over who owns the biggest gun instead of who knows how to win the battle with the least casualties, crying about why you have no family left that really loves and respects you since you ran them off or they fled away, and you’ll sit around drinking too much, blaming anyone but yourselves and finding the smallest illogical, cultists, completely idiotic idea of how to blame any group, anyone that is different, hell just anyone so you don’t accept blame for your own shortcomings. Keep throwing the blame elsewhere. Because if you had any true character, you would see that YOU will be the downfall of this great nation because you are too ignorant to even realize in history somewhere, even you were on the otherside of the easy blame. Just wow. I fought to keep this nation free from complete egotistical, maniac Jerks like you. Just keep repeating what you CAN’T even bother to education yourself on independently, because having your own mind is just so hard. I fought for your right to free speech, no matter how stupid and false your speech is. SO thank you for exercising that right. Your idiotic statements here just remind me how far we still have to go. Sad.
I can’t deny… must of these programs are disappointing. VA pumps millions of dollars into them and for the most part the only people to benefit from them are the people that started the organization. I will use suicide prevention for example: there was a recent article about suicide prevention, I think it was 15million or more that went into it, yet the resource provided to assist with with suicide prevention is mostly education. This is sad…Many veterans that call suicide hotlines for assistance only find themselves to be locked away in a hospital, highly medicated and put on watch. So, how is this helping the veteran, I DON’T KNOW. If these funds where actually used for the vet to live a better life these things would not happen. Many programs start off with a good concept yet, to use the resources it’s almost impossible to maneuver through it or counselor don’t have information on it, once you get into it is actually something you have to work yourself, basically all kinds of fluff. For the most part billions of dollars are being wasted on programs many veterans will not use, don’t know about, or don’t qualify for. So, these organizations account this money back to the government as administration, facility, and employment fees.
All classes are closed and appear to be in person atm? Looks like another Veteran scam to me. Would be great if this was online so it could benefit all, if that is what they were trying to do. Also did not see on the website where is just for women. Looks like its for both genders. Only offers three classes tho. I can learn more about greenhouse growing on YouTube unfortunately.
It’s understood the current program is targeting women, as a male veteran, is there any openings available? As I live in Massachusetts. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you
Farming has always been something I’m very interested in
I was interested until I saw the only female “woke” BS.
I rather learn what I need to know on my own.
Let me guess – the class will include pronoun identification and a section on equity and how to be less “white”.
It’s not for women only…. They Are expanding it for women to participate
No Need Trying To Hide Your ” White Fragility” and “White Supremacism”…
Only for women, hhhmmmm ! Just have to let them know we identify as a woman, non-binary, gender neutral. That will fix everything then go back to being a man after completing the required time and work. Lol
The program is for male and females. The writer Richard Murphy wrote this article in a way that promotes it to females.
As a combat Infantry Veteran OEF7-8, Women in the Military DO NOT “contribute to the readiness and well-being of the military community across the globe”. There are ZERO reasons a woman should be in the military, or police for that matter. They are a great NET NEGATIVE on the “readiness and well-being of the military” and that comes from love and respect not hate, to be clear. Oh ya, and this program is exactly my point, we inherently give special treatment to our women, and that is a GOOD thing in life and love. But the military, which is for National Defense, people should NOT be getting special treatment for any reason other than your merit and worth. It creates a toxic environment and the military just isn’t the place for it. Todays military is NOT the same military as our Grandfather’s, and that is concerning.
I find your comment rude and very judgmental. Having served in The Marine Corps I met many men who weren’t as strong as their female counterparts. There are many opportunities for men that women can do too. The female jet fighters flying jets over the Super Bowl. Be the change. Sitting still solves nothing. Kudos.
Well I was just going to enter “Ditto” as I basicly agree with Maurines comment.
But VA wanted to let me know that my comment was to short. SO…
Hi, I am RIchard. I have a farm. I don’t know why the VA to farmers was not open in Denver. I am probably older than many of the folks commenting here, but I don’t mind the company. I dont farm as much as I did in my past years. Now I am just raising some cattle, and taking care of the place until my wife returns from Thailand. Her dad has cancer and she is taking care of him until it is his time. My plans for part of the farm this spring is to plant bananas and avocado trees on an 8 acre portion that I am giving to my wife. I ordered the trees and they should begin arriving this week. I already planted sugarcane there a few years ago. Just leaving the place in a way that makes it familular to her. I was raising rice and crawfish. But I am disabled now and really can’t get around much. I do plan to put in mangos but need to wait another month until it is warmer for those . I will plant an acre of melons end of April. That is for the neighbors to come and pick.
If you folks are thinking of farming, what do you plan to raise/grow?
My thoughts exactly!…The female pilots gave me pure joy and serious goosebumps. Powerful!
Dear Hank,
I don’t know where you have been or what problems you may be dealing with but what I do know is that women are a powerful force to be reckoned. You truly need to educate yourself on the history of women in the military, their attributes and the many obstacles they had to overcome. You seem to be out of touch with reality. It is clear you don’t respect women. Granted you may have experienced some weak women and men. Nevertheless, weakness is not identified by gender. There is plenty of data for you to research concerning women in the military. From A-Z (infantry included) women have carried their own. Yes, women can and will do more than continue civilization. Speaking of civilization, respect every woman that is a parent. After all, you can’t bare children. That said, you must know that a woman can do anything she puts her mind to do. Some of the most brilliant minds of the 21st century are women.
If you follow the last link in the article: VETERANS TO FARMERS, THEY are the ones who have the Vet to Farmer program and THEY are coed.
Unlike many of the small minds here jumping to conclusions, I could see this article was about the disparity in the male:female farmer ratio…not unlike most other things. AND that training program in CO is actually coed.
HOW EMBARRASSING!
I don’t believe it’s just for women, I think they are trying to get more female veterans to do it.
For female vets only? Really????
No. The article points out the disparity. The training is coed. ?
So I’m not eligible to receive these benefits because I’m a man? WTH? Sexism is only bad in one-direction? I bleed red like any woman, and I want to be a productive human being. Shame on me right?
I so agree…
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the nees to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the nees to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
I never stomached programs that limited access to programs like this one. Years ago, I wanted to enroll in a program for enlisted to go to medical school. This program was limited to active duty members only. ARC members frequently are taken advantage of with programs & benefits. Needless to say, I retired with 20 & have to wait for benefits & carry a “RESERVE RETIRED” ID card. After seven plus deployments into combat zones & the equivalent of 11.5 years active duty, I am treated as less of a veteran & this infuriates me to no end.
There are other organizations that also work with Veterans toward agricultural vocational pursuits. Unfortunately Cleveland VA is slow to recognize many of the benefits made clear in this article. How can we help specific regional offices obtain services from SDVOSBs who also want to continue to serve the Veteran population.
If any of the men complaining about this initiative would bother to do even a modicum of research, they would realize that this opportunity is NOT just for women. Just happens to be one aspect of what this organization does, and it is an honorable one. God forbid that women get any special help in a patriarchal society. This organization does also work with male farmers, or those interested in pursuing such an endeavor.
This appears to be only for women. Is that a correct assumption?
I don’t believe it’s just for female veterans if I were a man I would apply either way.
Only this particular initiative. The program and organization in general help people of both genders.
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the need to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the need to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
Wrong
The article only points out the disparity and the need to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training
I am interested in participating in the women Veteran to Farmer in Maine program.
I hope the VA isn’t dumping serious money into this . 150 vets in 10 years.. that’s 15 vets a year.
Veterans to Farmers is its own program. Possibly VA sponsored per participating Vet
Sounds like a very good program keep it up
Should be for all veterans sex neutral im a man and 100 percent should not be specifically for woman all veterans sex should be a criteria
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the need to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the need to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
Does the VR&E cover my leaving if I was wanting to do this? could i use my GI bill?
I’ll be a farmer really soon!
Las a veteran and a man, this program is a deep disappointment as well as discriminatory on the basis of gender.
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the nees to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the need to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
Sounds discriminatory against men.
This awesome, I wanted this for a while. But, to have someone help prepare the road to farming is so wonderful!
WRONG.
The article only points out the disparity and the need to change it.
The training is coed.
There’s a link at the end for the training ?
There is a group called Farmer Veteran Coalition which also helps veterans.
How do I get started in Veterans to farmer transition. I have 20 acres of available farmland in northwest Pennsylvania.
So since women make up 17% of the military, but only 33% of the agricultural labor force, I guess that means there needs to be 16% more women farmers? Or wait, to really be equitable, we first need our military to be made up of 50% female /50% male….so that more stupid articles can be written about needing to expand the percentage of women farmers to 50%.
Is it possible that perhaps not as many women are interested in becoming farmers?
Interesting idea but should be the same for male veterans. Didn’t known one or the other very interesting
Interest in the farming program
This article is misleading!!! Unless you have at least three years of farming/ranching experience the USDA beginning farmer program won’t help Veterans or anyone else. You only get credit for one year experience based on military service. VA news needs to do some actual research before posting this kind of nonsense!!!!!!!! I as a 100% disabled Veteran get absolutely NO HELP from the USDA beginning farmer program. Hey VA stop putting out BS information!!!!!!!!
I’m with you!!!
I need help as a visually impaired senior surviving spouse who wants to buy a farm right now with government money/help support.