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Current Opportunities

Armed to Farm – Massachusetts

NCAT is teaming up with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (NESFP) to bring our Armed to Farm training to Massachusetts for the first time. Veterans who want to attend the week-long training can apply online now.

Armed to Farm allows veterans and their spouses or farm partners to experience sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and explore career opportunities in agriculture. At Armed to Farm, participants learn about business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, USDA programs, livestock production, fruit and vegetable production, and more. Participants gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farm. In addition, Armed to Farm attendees join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.

Armed to Farm trainings include an engaging blend of farm tours, hands-on activities, and interactive classroom instruction. NCAT Sustainable Agriculture specialists will lead the training sessions. Speakers will include staff from USDA agencies and NESFP. Experienced crop and livestock producers will provide additional instruction.

Applications are available HERE and are due by June 9, 2023.

This training is for veterans in the Northeast, with priority given to Massachusetts residents. The number of participants will be limited. NCAT will notify selected participants by June 16. One spouse or farm partner is welcome to attend with a veteran but must submit a separate application.

Dates, Location, and Cost

Armed to Farm will take place July 24-28 in Danvers, Massachusetts. Participants will attend classroom sessions and travel to local farms for hands-on learning experiences.

The event is free for those chosen to attend; lodging, transportation to local farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event, but travel scholarships are available through a partnership with Ranchin’ Vets. Information on travel scholarships will be provided upon acceptance to the training.

Sponsors

NCAT and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project have partnered to host this Armed to Farm event. This work is supported by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

Questions?

Please contact Lee Rinehart at lee@ncat.org or 479-587-3474.

Armed to Farm – Pennsylvania

NCAT is teaming up with the Pennsylvania Veteran Farming Network to bring NCAT’s Armed to Farm training to Pennsylvania for the first time. Veterans who want to attend the week-long training can apply online now.

Armed to Farm allows veterans and their spouses or farm partners to experience sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and explore career opportunities in agriculture. At Armed to Farm, participants learn about business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, USDA programs, livestock production, fruit and vegetable production, and more. Participants gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farm. In addition, Armed to Farm attendees join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.

Armed to Farm trainings include an engaging blend of farm tours, hands-on activities, and interactive classroom instruction. NCAT Sustainable Agriculture specialists will lead the training sessions. Speakers will include staff from USDA agencies and Pennsylvania Veteran Farming Network. Experienced crop and livestock producers will provide additional instruction.

Applications are available HERE and are due by June 16, 2023.

This training is for veterans in the Northeast, with priority given to Pennsylvania residents. The number of participants will be limited. NCAT will notify selected participants by June 23. One spouse or farm partner is welcome to attend with a veteran but must submit a separate application.

Dates, Location, and Cost

Armed to Farm will take place August 14-18 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Participants will attend classroom sessions and travel to local farms for hands-on learning experiences.

The event is free for those chosen to attend; lodging, transportation to local farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event, but travel scholarships are available through a partnership with Ranchin’ Vets. Information on travel scholarships will be provided upon acceptance to the training.

Sponsors

NCAT and Pennsylvania Veteran Farming Network have partnered to host this Armed to Farm event. This work is supported by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

Questions?

Please contact Lee Rinehart at lee@ncat.org or 479-587-3474.

Armed to Farm 2.0 – New Hampshire

NCAT is now accepting applications from Armed to Farm alumni who want to attend our week-long Armed to Farm 2.0 training in Keene, New Hampshire.

About Armed to Farm 2.0

Armed to Farm 2.0 is open to Armed to Farm alumni who are looking for more in-depth and enterprise-specific education on managing a profitable small-scale farm.

Armed to Farm 2.0 will have a more comprehensive curriculum on business planning, financial management, marketing, and scaling-up production. The training is designed for those who are looking to take their farms to the next level. We will tailor hands-on activities at area farms to participants’ needs and will focus on more advanced production, marketing, and entrepreneurship techniques.

This training is limited to military veterans who have attended an in-person Armed to Farm training. One spouse or farm partner is welcome to attend with the veteran but must submit a separate application. Applications are available here and are due by June 16. NCAT will notify selected participants by June 23.

Applications are available HERE and are due by June 16, 2023.

This training is limited to military veterans who have attended an in-person Armed to Farm training. One spouse or farm partner is welcome to attend with the veteran but must submit a separate application. NCAT will notify selected participants by June 23.

Dates, Location, and Cost

Armed to Farm 2.0 will take place August 21-23 at the Best Western Plus in Keene. Local farms will provide hands-on learning experiences.

The event is free for those chosen to attend; lodging, transportation to local farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event, but travel scholarships are available through a partnership with Ranchin’ Vets. Information on travel scholarships will be provided upon acceptance to the training.

Sponsors

NCAT is hosting this Armed to Farm 2.0 event. This work is supported by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

Questions?

Please contact Andy Pressman at andyp@ncat.org or 479-587-3475.

Agricultural Conference Scholarships for Veterans

Limited scholarships are available for military veterans in the Southeastern U.S. who would like to attend agricultural conferences.

Appalachian State University’s Frontline to Farm program and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are partnering to offer the veteran scholarships. NCAT will award scholarships of up to $250 for military veterans who want to learn about sustainable livestock production and farm business at an agricultural conference.

Scholarships will cover registration costs, up to $250, for the following conferences:

  • A sustainable agriculture conference identified by the applicant.

Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis.

Please note:

Veterans in the Southeastern U.S. who are raising livestock will receive priority.

Veterans who receive a scholarship will be responsible for their own conference registration.

Recipients must submit a conference registration receipt in order to be reimbursed.

For more information on the scholarships, contact Margo Hale at margoh@ncat.org.

Alicia rides a tractor
Smiling pig
Guy Ames training