🎙️ VetFarm Network Podcast | Guest: Lais McCartney

In this episode, we’re joined by Lais McCartney, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator with Purdue Extension Hancock County and Indiana SARE State Coordinator.

Lais shares insights on SARE grant opportunities available to farmers across the nation — supporting innovation, sustainability, and on-farm research. Whether you’re a beginning farmer, veteran farmer, or experienced producer, this episode breaks down how SARE can help fund your ideas and strengthen your operation.

🌾 Learn more:
🔗 vetsinfarming.com
🔗 sare.org

In this episode of the VetFarm Network Podcast, we sit down with Craig Stevenson—Air Force veteran, lifelong farmer, and Co-Owner of Geswein Farm & Land—to talk about his path from the military to agricultural real estate and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Craig shares his insights on:

• Growing up on a working farm in Indiana

• How military service shaped his leadership and business mindset

• Helping families navigate land sales, inheritance, and legacy

• What new or veteran farmers should look for when buying land

• Why working with a Realtor who understands agriculture makes all the difference

Whether you're just getting started or ready to grow your operation, this episode is packed with practical advice and veteran-to-veteran encouragement.

🗓️ Don’t forget! The Veterans IN Farming Conference is coming up July 11–12 in Shipshewana, Indiana. Discounted tickets are available for veterans and caregivers thanks to support from Hoosier Uplands.
🎟️ Register now at vetsinfarming.com

🔗 Learn more about Craig and his work at gfarmland.com

#VetFarmNetwork #VeteranFarmers #FarmRealEstate #CraigStevenson #VetsInFarming #FarmlandOwnership #FarmOn

Looking to grow your farm business while making a difference? In this episode of the VetFarm Network Podcast, Kate talks with Brianna Goode, Farm to School Coordinator with the Indiana Department of Health.

They break down how the Farm to School program works, what schools are looking for from local farms, and how beginning and veteran farmers can take advantage of this mission-aligned market opportunity.

More info: https://www.ingrown4schools.com/

Whether you’re raising veggies, meat, eggs, or other farm products—this episode will help you understand how to connect with local schools and what steps to take to get started.

🗓️ Don’t forget: the Veteran Farmer Conference is coming up July 11–12 in Shipshewana, Indiana. Discounted tickets are available for veterans and caregivers—visit vetsinfarming.com for details.

More at:

• www.ateaseorchard.org/Farm-to-School

Student innovations for safer farms and smarter emergency response tools, designed with disabled veteran farmers in mind.

In this special episode of the VetFarm Network Podcast, we visit with a student team from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who spent their semester working with AgrAbility to design practical tools that improve farm safety and emergency preparedness for farmers.

Together, they’ve developed:

• A preventative farm safety guide with tips

• A customized emergency farm mapping system

These innovations were shaped by real farm visits, universal design principles, and meaningful conversations with farmers.

None of the students are farmers (yet!), but their work shows what happens when thoughtful design meets real-world need.

🔗 Don’t forget: registration is open for the Veteran Farmer Conference in Indiana, July 11–12. We hope to see you there!

Veterans and caregivers may qualify to receive discounted tickets: vetsinfarming.com

In this episode of the VetFarm Network Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Tuttle, co-founder of Edge Perma and Redtail Edge Design, to explore how virtual farm tours are transforming agricultural education. Andrew shares his journey from serving as a USMC Airframe Mechanic on Marine One to pioneering regenerative farming and immersive digital storytelling.

🔗 Learn more about Andrew's work:
Edge Perma
Redtail Edge Design

🎟️ Interested in learning more about farming or supporting our veteran-led ag programs?

Register for the upcoming midwest Veteran Farmer Conference: vetsinfarming.com/conference
Explore national programs at AtEaseOrchard.org

In this episode of the VetFarm Network Podcast, we sit down with Retired Colonel Joe Ricker, founder and Executive Director of At Ease Orchard. After a long career in the Army, Joe turned his focus to helping veterans find connection, healing, and new purpose through agriculture and rural community life.

We talk about how At Ease Orchard got started, what makes their approach different, and why hands-on work, education, and strong support networks are critical for veterans transitioning out of the military. Joe also shares how he first got interested in beekeeping while still on active duty, a passion that eventually became part of his work supporting veterans in agriculture.

Joe is also the President of Veterans IN Farming, a growing network of veteran farmers and homesteaders based in Indiana. In addition, he serves as the Veteran Outreach Coordinator for AgrAbility, a national program that helps farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers with disabilities continue working successfully.

We also highlight the upcoming Veteran Farmer Conference, happening July 11–12, 2025, at The Farmstead Inn & Conference Center in Shipshewana, Indiana. This two-day conference will offer meaningful educational workshops, practical training, and networking opportunities designed specifically for veteran farmers, agricultural professionals, and caregivers.
Conference tickets are available at vetsinfarming.com.

To learn more, visit:
ateaseorchard.com
agrability.org

In this episode of the VetFarm Network Podcast, we sit down with Cory Mahan, Marine Corps veteran and current State Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Indiana. Cory shares his journey from serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and at U.S. embassies, to coming home and working on his family’s farm in southern Indiana.

We talk about how his military experience shaped his approach to farming, how he got involved with the VFW after service, and how the organization is still making a difference for veterans today—especially those living in rural communities.

If you're interested in learning more about the VFW or how to get connected with a local post, visit vfwin.org

If you're interested in joining Veterans IN Farming or joining us at an event please go to vetsinfarming.com or ateaseorchard.org

In this episode of the VetFarm Network Podcast, we talk with Eileen Legault, TN AgrAbility Area Specialist with UT Extension, about how veterans and farmers facing physical limitations can continue working the land with the right tools and support.

From spinal injuries to arthritis and amputations, AgrAbility helps farmers overcome challenges through on-farm assessments, adaptive equipment, and connections to state and national resources. We highlight how the program serves veterans specifically—and how you or someone you know can get connected.

We also explore the AgrAbility Toolbox (agrability.org/toolbox), packed with practical solutions to keep you safe, effective, and active in agriculture.

🔗 Learn more at agrability.org
🎧 More episodes and upcoming events at vetsinfarming.com

In this episode of the VetFarm Network, we sit down with Charley, who served in the Army for 28 years. He shares how leadership experience from military service carries over into agriculture—and why veterans shouldn’t be afraid to do things differently. Whether it's starting small, pivoting your plans, or stepping into a mentorship role, Charley brings a grounded perspective on what it takes to build something meaningful after service.

We also cover two upcoming events:
– The 12th Annual Salute to Veterans Charity Golf Outing, hosted by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, is on May 9 and benefits At Ease Orchard. Visit ateaseorchard.org for details—registration is through the IDVA website.
– The Veteran Farmer Conference is happening this July in Shipshewana, Indiana, bringing together veterans and caregivers from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. Learn more at vetsinfarming.com.

To stay connected with opportunities like these, join Vets IN Farming—it’s free and open to veterans, military families, and caregivers interested in agriculture.

In this episode of VetFarm Network, we’re joined by Shane Johnson, State Outreach Coordinator for USDA NRCS Indiana, to talk about how NRCS helps farmers — especially veterans — plan, fund, and implement conservation practices.

Shane breaks down the basics of programs like EQIP and CSP, explains what a conservation plan really is, and shares how to connect with your local NRCS office for support. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your operation, this quick conversation offers practical guidance and encouragement.

Learn more about NRCS in Indiana:
🔗 https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/indiana

VetFarm Network is powered by At Ease Orchard and Veterans IN Farming, supporting military veterans across the U.S. through education and hands-on training in agriculture.