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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 800 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…

Training opportunities

Armed to Farm California Virtual Workshop Series

NCAT’s Armed to Farm team is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) to present a three-part, interactive virtual workshop series for beginning farmer-veterans. These virtual workshops will provide essential information on farm recordkeeping, tools and equipment, and building soil health. The workshops will take place on October 12, 19, and 26, from 10:00-11:30 AM Pacific time.

This virtual workshop series is open to veterans and active-duty service members in the U.S. The series is free, but registration is required. Visit our Events page for more information and to register.

“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.”

Maryland

Armed to Urban Farm
Baltimore, Maryland

September, October 2021
Application period has closed.

California

Armed to Farm
San Diego, California

Spring 2022
Application Coming Soon!

New Mexico

Armed to Farm
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Spring 2022
Application Coming Soon!

Texas

Armed to Farm
Castroville, Texas

Spring 2022
Application Coming Soon!

Veteran working at Common Good City FarmNCAT

Military Veterans: Applications Now Open for Urban Farm Training in Baltimore

Applications are now open for Armed to Urban Farm, an intensive training program for military veterans interested in sustainable urban farming. Developed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in collaboration with the U.S. Botanic Garden, Armed to Urban Farm allows attendees to get an in-depth look at sustainable, profitable, small-scale urban farming enterprises and to learn about urban farming as a career.
Newspaper screenshot

Armed to Farm Alum Featured in Hometown Paper

Mark Stewart, a Navy veteran and 2019 Armed to Farm alum, launched a micro-farm business last year on Whidbey Island, Washington. Now, Stewart and his wife Melissa are featured in the Whidbey News-Times. They saw a need for local chicken…
Two veterans crouch near a fence holding up their phones to take photos of a large spotted sow.

NCAT’s Armed to Farm Returns to In-Person Training

After a year of waiting and hoping and Zooming, we were thrilled to finally host the 25th week-long Armed to Farm in May 2021 at Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville. We were so happy to be back with a group of military veterans eager and ready to learn about sustainable farming.

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