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; we convene educational events and promote veteran ag.
Upcoming Events
Top 10 EQIP Myths--busted!
Can I get funding to rehab al old hoop house?
Does an EQIP contract really take 3 years?
Why can't I get funded to prevent a problem?
Join PA's NRCS Veterans Special Programs manager, a Navy veteran, to get the straight answers to all your EQIP questions. FREE Register
Virtual Social Marketing Coaching
Tuesday, Oct. 12 6-7:30 pm via Zoom
For veteran farmers using Facebook or Instagram who want to reach more customers and increase farm sales. With Christine Yankle of Melody Acres Hobby Farm, Washington Co. FREE
Tractor Safety Clinic
Sat., Oct. 23, 9 am to 1130 am, Heritage Farms, McClellandtown, Fayette Co. NMSTOP certified trainer; for adults and their dependents 14+. $5; refundable upon completion for veterans/military.
Buy fresh; buy local; buy veteran grown and raised. Find PA Veteran Farms and Agribusinesses
What does the PA Veteran Farming Network 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.
Toolkit of Conference presentations HERE.
Thank you to our sponsors: USDA, Food Moxie, AgChoice/MidAtlantic Farm Credit.
In the news:
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
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
Pa.’s top veterans’ advocate visits
Right: Rhonda Smith (The Skirted Soldier) and Giana VanNice (Blue Dog Farms) at the 2021 Conference broadcast site; below L & R, 2020 Regional Workshop at Pleasant Lane Farms
Charlois at Saint Ann's Cattle Company, Carlilse, owned by Paul McNamara
Above: Melissa Harrop, Meadowcreek Livestock; Don Green (Crabapple Hollow farm; MG Tony Carelli, Adjutant General PA DMVA at the 2020 PA Farm Show
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
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
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have not operated a farm or ranch, or has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years; or
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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.