Find PA Veteran Farms and Agribusinesses
2020 PA Veteran Farming Conference
Learn about:
FSA Loans, Microloans
NRCS Technical Assistance, Incentives
Rural Development, Value Added Producer Grants
Business Planning for beginners and experienced veterans
Risk Management in Agritourism
Marketing Case Study Andrew Trexler with Rhonda Smith/The Skirted Soldier
Non-Profit Farms: Pragmatic considerations and pros/cons
And participate in Interest group meetings
Value Added Producer Grant Program Workshop-- Feb. 3rd in Westmoreland County.
Interested in new projects with farm-produced wine, cheese, fiber products?
Farm-to-school or marketing to restaurants?
Anaerobic digesters or other renewable energy projects?
Join us for a VAPG overview and to discuss with a program specialist whether your project may be eligible for funding.
Monday, February 3, 2020
9-10 a.m.
Penn State Extension Conference Room at Donohoe Center, 214 Donohoe Road, Greensburg PA 15601.
With Karen Kuhns, USDA Rural Development Area Specialist and the program manager for Pennsylvania for the Value Added Grant Program.
Following the one-hour workshop, a limited number of time slots will be available for attendees for one-on-one consultations with Ms. Kuhns about their proposed projects.
Applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant program are due March 10th.
Register by clicking the "Register Now" button above or call 724.691-1087.
If interested in applying but unable to attend the workshop, contact Karen Kuhns, Area Specialist at (724) 261-3893, or e-mail to discuss your potential project.
Learn more at rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants
This workshop is hosted by the PA Veteran Farming Project/Troops to Tractors with partners USDA Rural Development and the Westmoreland Conservation District.
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.
Veterans, Guard, or Reserve
On farm apprenticeships can provide an alternative to higher ed to learn the craft & business of farming. OJT apprenticeships may be eligible for state approval as an educational program for those eligible for VA Educational Benefits ("GI Bill®*).
Contact us at pavetsfarm@gmail.com or 724-691-1087 to learn more.
*"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.
In the news:
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
Sewickley’s Bridgeside Market Sewickley Tribune
-Next Generation Farm Summit teaches younger farmers concepts to remain viable TribLive
-PA Veteran Farm Trail spotlights operations of those who serve featuring Pleasant Lane
Farm Tribune Review
-Local farm to be featured as part of veterans project featuring Heritage
Farms Herald Standard
-Farming opportunities for veterans featuring Terrace Mt. Alpacas WeAreCentralPA video
-PA Veteran Farm Trail spotlights operations of those who serve Tribune Review
-Finding peace in gardening: a veterans research result
-This Fayette Co. Army veteran used his VA benefits to start his 40 acre dream farm.
-Read about how one Army vet and a local farm owner made apprenticeship work.
Click the graphic to watch
the ABC27 video
The PA Veteran Farming Project gratefully acknowledges the financial support of
Disabled American Veterans
Pittsburgh Chapter 8 and
Col. S. D. Foster Chapter #76
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8Lindwood Farms, Westmoreland County
Tim Wagner at Wayside Acres, Newville, PA
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.
