2020 Conference

2020 PA Veteran Farming Conference

Friday, February 28

0830-1600

PA Military Museum

Boalsburg, PA

By the numbers:

57 veterans/military/spouses attended.

36 responded to the feedback survey.

97% of attendees said the Conference met or exceeded their expectations.
94% said presenters met or exceeded their expectations.
92% had never accessed USDA assistance.
70% plan to contact their local USDA service center.
53% plan to follow up with a veteran farmer them met at the Conference.
When asked what you'd like on the agenda for future events, the most common answers were: in-depth marketing and business planning

For the 2021 Conference we will book a larger venue with more break-out capability. We'll program more time for structured networking, probably by production type.

If you would like to help plan for next year's Conference, please contact the coordinator.

Conference Materials Toolkit

Agenda: Friday, February 28, 2020

0830--1600

FSA Loans, Microloans

NRCS Technical Assistance, Incentives

Rural Development, Value Added Producer Grants

Business Planning for newer 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

Farm Vitality Grant and Networking

*USDA definition for the purposes of this grant-funded event: The term “Veteran Farmer or Rancher” means 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.

**USDA grant guidelines do not permit us to offer a stipend to veterans to attend. If distance from your home requires on overnight stay to attend the conference and this presents a financial hardship, contact the Project Director at pavetsfarm@gmail.com to inquire whether a partial scholarship may be available. Please provide your home address in your email and the reason you wish to attend.

Thank you to Evergreen Farms of Spruce Creek, PA, and Friends of Glenn Thompson, for your support of the Conference. Please contact the Project Director for other sponsorship opportunities at pavetsfarm@gmail.com or 724-691-1087.