Armed to Farm

Sustainable Agriculture Training for Military Veterans

About Armed to Farm

Supporting farmer veterans since 2013

Armed to Farm has supported more than 1,000 veterans with hands-on and classroom learning opportunities for sustainable agriculture since launching in 2013. Farmer veterans learn how to run a successful business and market their products, how to access USDA resources, set business goals, and develop meaningful mentorships with seasoned farmers. 

Farmer veterans who complete a training series stay connected to their peers and often develop ties to other farmers, increasing their ability to succeed. These farmer veterans have access to individualized technical assistance and one-on-one consultations, in-person networking events and virtual learning opportunities through the National Center for Appropriate Technology. 

Keep reading…

Watch our new short film, “Armed to Farm Stories: Sara Creech”

“Armed to Farm opened our eyes to all of the help that’s available. You find a purpose to serve again. Becoming a farmer and producing something I can feed my community, and raise my children off the land. This is my way of bringing service back.”

“The Armed to Farm program is THE reason I was able to get started in farming. The opportunity to connect with other veterans and support each other’s dreams was life changing. The education and support from NCAT/ATTRA guided me through starting a profitable farm that fuels my new–found passion for farming.” 

“Our Armed to Farm experience has been nothing short of amazing. Veterans seeking a one-stop-shop on how to navigate the journey of becoming a farmer, sustaining a farm, and making a farm more efficient and productive must seek out this opportunity. This is a gem of a project and every Veteran looking for a transition solution, or to improve their farming or ranching endeavor should seize the opportunity to participate in an Armed to Farm event or seminar.”

Armed to Farm - Iowa

July 29-August 2, 2024
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The application period is now closed.

Armed to Farm - Virginia

August 12-16, 2024
Harrisonburg, Virginia
The application period is now closed.

Armed to Farm 2.0 - Washington

August 19-21, 2024
Spokane, Washington
*This training is open to Armed to Farm alumni only
APPLY HERE

Armed to Urban Farm

October 7-11, 2024
New Orleans, Louisiana
APPLY HERE

Crops being watered by irrigationCanva Pro

NCAT Releases New Guide to Saving Water, Energy for Irrigators  

Responding to water shortages and uncertainties throughout the western United States, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has released a new edition of its popular The Irrigator’s Pocket Guide. “With growing conflict over…

NCAT’s Free Farmer-Veteran Training Headed to Massachusetts

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is partnering with New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (NESFP) to bring NCAT’s free Armed to Farm training to the Bay State for the first time. Armed to Farm will take place…

Armed to Farm Alum Sees Growing Vegetables As a Link to the Past, Key to the Future

Randal Kelly and his dad started growing corn and squash on their family agriculture plot on the Navajo Nation back in 2019. Now in his fourth growing season, Kelly has added in more root vegetables, flowers, and herbs. At most, they’re growing…

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