In this episode of the American VetFarm Network Podcast, with Thane Benson of Benlauck Farm in New York.

Thane is a retired Chief Petty Officer who served 24 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve Seabees, including four overseas deployments. He is also the owner-operator of a small, highly diversified farm where he grows fruit, produce, malting barley, dry beans, corn, and grains.

This conversation covers Thane’s experience as a working farmer, the realities of managing a diversified operation, and some of the practices he uses on the farm, including Integrated Pest Management, cover crops, no-till, crop rotation, predatory nematodes, and buckwheat strips for pollinators and beneficial insects.

The American VetFarm Network is a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by the USDA NIFA 2501 Program.

Learn more at ateaseorchard.org

In this episode of the American VetFarm Network Podcast, we’re joined by Leanne Babcock, Executive Director of Dauntless Veteran Foundation, for a conversation about veteran agriculture, service, and what it means to help veterans translate their talents from the field to the farm.

Leanne shares more about the mission behind Dauntless, why agriculture can create purpose and connection after military service, and why preparation matters when veterans are seeking funding or planning their next step in farming.

We also talk about the Dauntless Agriculture Grant, Dauntless Wine Company, and how wine tastings and winery events can serve as a gathering place for veterans, supporters, and community members who want to be part of the work.

This conversation is especially helpful for veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming, building a farm business, or trying to understand what resources may be available along the way.

Links

Dauntless Veteran Foundation:
https://dauntlessvf.org/

Dauntless Agriculture Grant:
https://dauntlessvf.org/agriculture-grant-program/

Dauntless Wine Company:
https://dauntlesswine.co/

American VetFarm Network:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network

At Ease Orchard:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/

In this episode of the American VetFarm Network podcast, we’re joined by Steve and Ethel Baker of IrishMudd Farm, a veteran-owned family farm.

IrishMudd Farm raises a mix of livestock and heritage breeds, including KuneKune pigs, yak, Valais sheep, poultry, and other farm animals. In this conversation, Steve and Ethel share how their farm got started, the challenges of building a farm from the ground up, how they’ve chosen enterprises that fit their family, and what they’ve learned through participating in Veterans IN Farming events.

We also talk about what veterans, service members, and military families should think through before starting a farm, from infrastructure and marketing to learning from other farmers and finding the right support.

The VetFarm Network offers one-on-one farm coaching and technical assistance for veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming or getting a beginning farm business started.

Links

IrishMudd Farm:
https://irishmuddllc.com/

Veterans IN Farming:
https://vetsinfarming.wildapricot.org/

American VetFarm Network:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network

This episode is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by USDA NIFA 2501.

In this episode of the American VetFarm Network podcast, we’re joined by Cheree Tham, LCSW, co-founder and Chief of Programs and Initiatives at America’s Warrior Partnership, and Bronwyn Leitch, Outreach Specialist with Indy Warrior Partnership.

America’s Warrior Partnership works with communities to support veterans, their families, and caregivers before crisis occurs. Indy Warrior Partnership brings that community-based support to veterans and families in Central Indiana.

In this conversation, we talk about veteran support at the community level, why connection matters, and how agricultural organizations can be better partners in helping veterans and families find the right resources.

The VetFarm Network offers one-on-one farm coaching and technical assistance for veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming or getting a beginning farm business started.

Join us for our next VetFarm Network Live office hours on July 9. This month’s topic is Christmas tree farming.

Links

America’s Warrior Partnership:
https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/

Indy Warrior Partnership:
https://www.indywarriorpartnership.org/

American VetFarm Network:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network

At Ease Orchard:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, call or text 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

This episode is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by USDA NIFA 2501.

Nick Dayton, Program Manager for Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, joins the American VetFarm Network podcast to talk about veteran farming, beginning farmer resources, marketing support, and small farm opportunities in West Virginia.

Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture:
https://agriculture.wv.gov/ag-business/veterans-and-heroes-to-agriculture/

West Virginia Department of Agriculture:
https://agriculture.wv.gov/

American VetFarm Network:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network

This episode is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by USDA NIFA 2501.

This episode of the VetFarm Network podcast looks at veteran farming in Alabama through Operation Grow, an Alabama Cooperative Extension program developed in partnership with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Operation Grow supports military veterans and their families who are interested in agriculture for health, employment, and farm business opportunities.

The program focuses on training, networking, and support for veteran farms through farm-planning assistance, hands-on, on-farm, and digital learning, connections with agricultural partners, and access to farm equipment through the Operation Grow Hardware and Equipment Loan Program.

Guests Chuck Michaels and Jesse Teel discuss Chuck’s path from the Air Force into horticulture, what he is learning from veteran farmers in Alabama, and how Extension-based programs can help veterans explore agriculture, build farm plans, and connect with local resources.

Learn more about Operation Grow:
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/operation-grow-for-military-veterans/

The American VetFarm Network is a program of At Ease Orchard and is supported through a USDA NIFA 2501 grant.

This episode of the VetFarm Network podcast explores farm loans, agricultural financing, and resources available to veteran and beginning farmers through Farm Credit Mid-America.

The conversation covers financing for land, equipment, livestock, fencing, buildings, operating expenses, and other farm infrastructure, along with when to contact a lender and what information farmers should prepare.

Featuring Marcus Tyler Jr., Customer Resource Manager with Farm Credit Mid-America.

Find a Farm Credit Mid-America office:
https://www.fcma.com/locations

Join the next VetFarm Network Live! Office Hours on July 9, when we’ll be talking about Christmas tree farming:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pYTb3Ej0QieMcRvmc0vTqA

Learn more about At Ease Orchard: https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network

The American VetFarm Network is a program of At Ease Orchard and is supported through a USDA NIFA 2501 grant.

This week, we’re introducing VetFarm Network Live, a monthly Zoom gathering for military veterans and currently serving military members who are exploring farming.

VetFarm Network Live is held on the second Thursday of each month and is designed more like office hours than a formal webinar.

Participants are welcome to ask questions, join the conversation, or simply listen while doing chores, driving, or catching up at the end of the day.

This month’s topic is What Beginning Farmers Usually Overspend On.

We’ll talk about land, tractors, livestock, equipment, infrastructure, zoning, regulations, and other early decisions that can affect a farm before it has a clear production plan, market, or business model.

We also explain the larger American VetFarm Network program, a program of At Ease Orchard supported through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture 2501 Program. Through this funding, American VetFarm Network provides outreach, education, technical assistance, tailored farm coaching, online resources, and opportunities to connect with other beginning veteran farmers.

Preregistration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Learn more and register:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network

In this episode of the American VetFarm Network Podcast, we sit down with Dave Carter of Flower Hill Institute to discuss the growing interest in meat processing, recent USDA investments supporting small meat and poultry processors, and the technical assistance available to producers across the country.Dave shares lessons from decades of experience in agriculture, including his work with the National Bison Association and his current role helping farmers, ranchers, processors, and communities navigate opportunities through Flower Hill Institute’s USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Technical Assistance Program.Topics include:• Recent USDA announcements supporting meat and poultry processing capacity• Technical assistance available to producers and processors• Challenges facing small and regional meat processors• Opportunities in the bison industry and lessons for livestock producers• Resources available through Flower Hill InstituteLearn more about Flower Hill Institute:https://flowerhill.institute/Learn more about the American VetFarm Network:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm...The American VetFarm Network is a program of At Ease Orchard dedicated to helping veterans take their next step in farming through education, technical assistance, and connections to agricultural resources.

In this episode of the American VetFarm Network Podcast, we speal with Dana DiPrima, founder of the For Farmers Movement and host of the podcast "One Bite Is Everything".

Dana shares how the For Farmers Movement supports farmers through community nominations, grants, and direct support for farm needs and projects. We discuss who can nominate a farmer, what kinds of farms may be a good fit, and how community support can make a real difference for working farms.

This conversation is especially helpful for veterans exploring sustainable agriculture, beginning farmers, and anyone interested in supporting local farms.

American VetFarm Network: https://www.ateaseorchard.com/vetfarm-network

For Farmers Movement: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com