Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: O`Gorman, M.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
FARMER VETERAN COALITION
4614 2ND ST STE 4
DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95618

THE NATIONAL FARMER VETERAN PROJECT: UTILIZING EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS AND NETWORKS TO EXPAND IMPACT AND REACH AMONG VETERAN FARMERS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Title: The National Farmer Veteran Project: Utilizing Existing Relationships and Networks to Expand Impact and Reach Among Veteran FarmersThe long-term goals of the project are 1) to increase the agricultural capacity (e.g., level of agricultural production and business development skills) of beginning veteran farmers with less than 10 years of experience farming, 2) to increase the number of beginning veteran farmers entering into farming or ranching, and 3) to improve the economic viability of veteran-owned small- and medium-sized farm operations.These goals will be achieved through the following objectives, 1) building the Farmer Veteran Peer Network, a national network that creates mentor relationships between beginning veteran farmers and more established veteran and seasoned farmers; 2) delivering education and outreach through veteran-to-veteran learning that provides a foundation of skills, knowledge, and tools in sustainable production and farm business development; and 3) delivering education and outreach to beginning veteran farmers through asynchronous and synchronous, interactive online channels that allow veteran farmers from across the country to learn from each other and share best practices.The project will utilize a veteran-to-veteran network model that operates in conjunction with our colaborative partners at the local, state, and regional levels, to conduct new veteran farmer outreach and education to develop new veteran farmer/seasoned farmer networks, mentoring capacity, and partnerships.Over the one-year grant term, this project will develop and deliver 15 face-to-face educational and outreach sessions to beginning farmer veterans. Develop the Farmer Veteran Peer Network, a regional database of beginning farmer veterans and experienced veteran and seasoned farmers, which will facilitate the development of mentor relationships. Develop, update and disseminate a beginning farmer veteran resource guide detailing key resources and training available for farmer veterans.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term goals of the project are: (1) to increase the agricultural capacity (e.g., level of agricultural production and business development skills) of beginning farmer veterans with less than 10 years of experience farming: (2) to increase the number of beginning farmer veterans entering into farming or ranching, and: (3) to improve the economic viability of veteran-owned small- and medium-sized farm or ranch operations.