Armed to Farm

Sustainable Agriculture Training for Military Veterans

About Armed to Farm

Supporting farmer veterans since 2013

Armed to Farm has supported close to 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…

Training opportunities

Armed to Farm Trainings Coming in 2023

Appalachian State University’s Frontline to Farm program and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are partnering to offer limited scholarships to military veterans who want to learn about sustainable livestock production and farm business at an agricultural conference. Click here to apply now!

Applications for Armed to Farm trainings in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are now open! In addition, program alumni can now apply for Armed to Farm 2.0 in New Hampshire. Click HERE for more information and to apply for one of these events.

Sign up for the Armed to Farm email list to receive news, information, and notifications when the application periods for other Armed to Farm trainings open.

“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.”

Conference Scholarships for Veterans

Military veterans in the Southeastern U.S. can apply for scholarships to attend agricultural conferences.

APPLY NOW!

Massachusetts

Armed to Farm
Danvers, Massachusetts

July 24-28, 2023

APPLY NOW!

Pennsylvania

Armed to Farm
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

August 13-18, 2023

APPLY NOW!

New Hampshire

Armed to Farm 2.0
Keene, New Hampshire

August 20-23, 2023

APPLY NOW!

Alumni Spotlight: Tammi and Stephen Bell, Waterline Farm

Tammi and Stephen attended the Armed to Farm held in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2018. They operate a diversified small farm in Pryor, Oklahoma. Tammi recently sent us an update on their farm: “Sometimes it seems that we haven’t made much progress, but as we reviewed how much we have grown and learned since ATF it has been an amazing journey."

NCAT and Ranchin’ Vets Partner to Make Armed to Farm Trainings Accessible to More Farmer Veterans

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and Ranchin’ Vets have teamed up to offer a new level of support for military veterans interested in sustainable agriculture training opportunities. Ranchin’ Vets will fund a one-time transportation stipend directly to veterans selected to participate in NCAT’s Armed to Farm training program.

Arkansas PBS Segment Features Armed to Farm Alumni

Former Army Ranger Damon Helton and his wife Jana had no farming experience when they started their operation, The Farm at Barefoot Bend. Now, however, their farm is going strong and was recently featured on “Good Roots,” a video project…

Sign Up for Information

Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive news and information about the Armed to Farm program, future training and networking opportunities, and sustainable agriculture resources produced by NCAT.

GET INFO

Armed to Farm Map

Filter by