PA Veteran Farming Project/Troops to Tractors

Lunch & Learns:

26 March Noon: D-I-Y cattle chute with Larry Daugherty of Heritage Farms Click here

Upcoming Workshops

Due to the changing situation regarding the coronavirus, these dates subject to change.

Postponed: (TBD) Saint Ann's Cattle Company, Carlisle

Saint Ann's breeding program, NRCS Best management practices for a soil fertility program, FSA & NRCS programs for veterans, DIY low-cost chicken tractor and hen house; Field walk: Barnyard and grazing system improvement project & Riparian Buffer. Following the morning sessions, opportunity to meet 1-on-1 with USDA staff to discuss financing and/or technical assistance for your farm.

Friday, June 12, 2020--Pleasant Lane Farm & Creamery, Greensburg New cheese-making facility, forming co-ops, grants "101", DIY/low-cost projects on your farm. Field walk of stream bank project with assistance from conservation district. Following morning sessions, opportunity to consult 1-on-1 with USDA staff.

Friday, September 18, 2020--Hope Hill Lavender Farm, Pottsville USDA programs for veterans, field walk of animal walkway, manure storage, and pollinator garden created with technical and financial incentives by NRCS.

Barnyard NRCS Project St Ann's Cattle (1

Are you a member of the military/veteran community seeking resources on farming or agribusiness?

--We connect honorably discharged veterans, Guard,

and Reserve members and their spouses with agriculture resources.

--We bring together employers/mentor farmers

with Veterans throughout PA.

Troops to Tractors:

Consider an on farm apprenticeship as an alternative to higher ed to learn the craft & business of farming. VA OJT apprenticeships may be eligible for state approval as an educational program for those eligible for VA Educational Benefits ("GI Bill®*).

*"GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

A woman and man in civilian clothes with a NationalGuard General at the PA Farm Show

The PA Veteran Farming Project is the Commonwealth's homegrown network of military, veterans, and their spouses who farm or operate agribusinesses. We connect them with each other and with agricultural resources throughout the state.

The Troops to Tractors program facilitates on-farm VA OJT apprenticeships.

Join the Network

Map of Pennsylvania showing where Vetern owned farms are located.

Find PA Veteran Farms and Agribusinesses

Bee Bootcamp at Forever Heart Apiary LLC is full. Local beekeeping associations offer education in most PA counties. Find yours here.

Please watch this space for future opportunities.

In the news:

Ag conference to aid veterans

Mixing It Up: Dairies Diversify For Success

PA’s Dairy Industry Is Changing. These Family Farmers Are Innovating to Keep Up.

Heritage Farms featured on Veterans Voices on WTRF (Wheeling), Nov., 2019

Startup Alleghenies visited The Skirted Soldier and Reklaimed Vines winery on their Veterans Day tour, Nov. 11, 2019

Veterans in the Valley to be held in Everett, PA, Sept. 29, 2019

Troops to Tractors offers Veterans a different way to utilize the GI Bill WFMZ Channel 69 Allentown 27 June 2019

PA ag secretary tours Unity farm wrapping its future around cheese

Tribune-Review, 17 Apr 2019

Tour highlights successes of Southwestern

Pennsylvania's military veterans turned farmers

Tribune Review

Pa.’s top veterans’ advocate visits

Sewickley’s Bridgeside Market Sewickley Tribune

Top: Melissa Harrop, Meadowcreek Livestock; Don Green (Crabapple Hollow farm; MG Tony Carelli, Adjutant General PA DMVA at the 2020 PA Farm Show

Right: Charlois at Saint Ann's Cattle Company, Carlilse, owned by Paul McNamara

White Charlois cow w at Saint Ann's Cattle Company with a tag #12

The PA Veteran Farming Project gratefully acknowledges the financial support of
Disabled American Veterans
Pittsburgh Chapter 8 and

Col. S. D. Foster Chapter #76

Battle4Warriorz

Evergreen Farms Dairy

We serve active duty U.S. military, veterans (released from the service under conditions other than dishonorable), Guard, Reserve, and their spouses. Proof of service required.

USDA defines “Veteran Farmer or Rancher” as a producer who served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof; was released from the service under conditions other than dishonorable. Some USDA programs give preference to "Beginning Farmers", defined as those who

have not operated a farm or ranch, or has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years; or
who first obtained status as a veteran during the most recent 10-year period.

There is no charge to eligible individuals for our resource/referral services. We gratefully acknowledges the support of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Posts 8 and 76 in Allegheny County, PA, and the Myles D. Sampson Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County for their financial support.

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Pennsylvania Veteran FarmING Project

& Troops to Tractors