Applications Open for Armed to Urban Farm – Sacramento

The NCAT and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) are offering their popular veterans’ urban agriculture training in Sacramento, California, in March 2026.

Armed to Urban Farm gives military veterans an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and learn about urban farming as a career. Armed to Urban Farm will include a week of engaging classroom sessions, farm tours, and hands-on activities in Sacramento.

Armed to Urban Farm participants will learn about whole-farm planning, farm financial planning, urban crop production, urban soils, marketing, and more. Participants will gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable urban farming enterprise. In addition, attendees will join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.

Instructors will include NCAT sustainable agriculture specialists, United States Botanic Garden Education Specialists, and U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies. Attendees will also learn from producers experienced in an urban setting.

The program is available to military veterans who are interested in starting an urban farm or who are beginning urban farmers (less than 10 years). All veterans are welcome to apply, but those from the Midwest region will receive priority. Spouses and adult farming partners are welcome as well but must submit separate applications. Selected participants will be notified by February 2, 2026.

 Dates, Location, and Cost 

The training will take place March 2-6, 2026, in Sacramento, California. Selected participants will be required to submit a $50 refundable deposit to secure their placement. The full deposit will be refunded upon completion of the training week.

Lodging, transportation to local urban farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event. However, there are travel cost reimbursements available for veteran participant’s through a partnership with Ranchin’ Vets. Information on travel cost reimbursements will be provided upon acceptance to the training.

 Hosts

NCAT and the USBG, partners in this program, will organize and host the Armed to Urban Farm event in Sacramento.

 Questions?   

Please contact Andy Pressman, andyp@ncat.org, or (479) 587-3475.