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Membership is open to AD, Honorably Discharged Veterans, Guard, Reserve.

             

What is the PA Veteran Farming Network?
We are the state's grassroots network of veterans, military, and their spouses who farm and operate agribusinesses. We provide resource referral, education, and connections; convene educational events, and promote veteran ag.

What do we  do?

--Connect honorably discharged veterans, Guard,

and Reserve members and their spouses with agriculture resources.

--Bring together employers/mentor farmers  with Veterans throughout PA through our Ag Allies.

--Facilitate "Troops to Tractors" VA OJT apprenticeships

--Convene workshops and meet-ups that provide you with the resources to build sustainable, profitable farms.

--Help eligible individuals find grant funding and assist with applying.

--Partner with a wide variety of veteran service organizations; local/state/federal agencies; fellow ag organizations and higher ed.

--Host Bee Bootcamp hive management classes in select areas.

Ask us a question about farming or agribusiness.

We may not know the answer, but bet we know someone who does!

Contact us at pavetsfarm@gmail.com or 724-691-1087 to learn more.

 

Greenhouse Growers Workshop

April 1, 2023

Falls, PA

Register

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Map of Pennsylvania showing where Vetern owned farms are located.
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Click the graphic to request  free trees.

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Are you a transitioning soldier interested in an on-farm Career Skills Program apprenticeship in Pennsylvania?  Learn more here.

Justin Broadwater's CSP
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Mentor farmer James Cornwell of Nine Pines Farm with his mentee, George.

Podcast with PAVFP Director Mimi Thomas-BrookerAgChoice Farm Credit
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White Charlois cow w at Saint Ann's Cattle Company with a  tag #12

Charlois at Saint Ann's Cattle Company, Carlisle, owned by Paul McNamara

Above: Nicole Kondrlik with the chicken tractor funded by the 2023 Skirted Soldier grant for Women Veterans in Ag; ; below L & R, 2020 Regional Workshop at Pleasant Lane Farms

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In the news:

Skirted Soldier Grant recipient announced

Agriculture Secretary Announces First Recipients of Farmer Veteran 
Grants Throug
h the Wolf Administration’s Historic PA Farm Bill

Veteran, first-generation farmer hopes to expand, build legacy in Nicktown

Retiring soldier interns at two Pa. farms as part of transition program

 

Veteran and Family Pivot Back to the Farm with Irish Dexter Cattle

 

BMP Tour at Wayward Goats Farm

The buy local boom of the pandemic bottoms out in 2021

Military service, farm life mesh in Crawford County during Veteran Farm Field Day

Army veteran to host tree planting event in Sweet Valley

Boy Scouts help local veteran and farm owner plant 850 maple trees

Maple farmer plants trees for the next generation

 

Female veteran’s small business gives boost to other female vets

 

Veterans to help plant 10 million trees

Western Pa. residents among virtual presenters set for 2nd Pa. Veteran Farming Conference

New hops course seeks to fill gap between growing, marketing

Livestock farmers asked to complete survey

Bootcamp teaches beekeeping basics to veterans (Farm and Dairy)

 

Farming with Veterans in Mind: Country Folks Mid-Atlantic

 

Claysburg Woman Inspired to Give Back to Female Veterans

Unity dairy family finds success with cheese, offers tips to veterans interested in farming

 

Area veterans learn the basics of beekeeping — for honey and for peace of mind

 

Buy local, buy veteran grown on Armed Forces Day

PA Veteran Farming Project’s ag allies mentorship program

 

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  

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

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

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

Col. S. D. Foster Chapter #76

Battle4Warriorz

Evergreen Farms Dairy

Pennsylvania Veterans Trust Fund

Our Partners: 


 

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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. 

Read our privacy policy

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