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Applications Open for Armed to Urban Farm Wisconsin
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) are offering their popular veterans’ urban agriculture training in Madison, Wisconsin, in September 2025.
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 Madison.
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.
The deadline to apply is July 25, 2025. Selected participants will be notified by August 1.
Dates, Location, and Cost
The training will take place September 8-12, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. 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 participants 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 Madison.
Questions?
Please contact Andy Pressman at andyp@ncat.org.
Applications Open for Armed to Farm Maine
NCAT, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Maine are teaming up to host an Armed to Farm training this summer focused on farmer veterans in Maine and surrounding states. Veterans who want to attend the week-long training in Augusta, Maine, can apply now.
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. Additional contributors will include staff from USDA agencies plus experienced crop and livestock producers.
This training is for veterans in the Northeastern region, with preference to those residing in Maine. The number of participants will be limited. One spouse or farm partner is welcome to attend with a veteran but must submit a separate application.
Armed to Farm will take place August 4-8, 2025, in Augusta, Maine at the Homewood Suites Augusta. Participants will attend classroom sessions and travel to local farms for hands-on learning experiences. However, there are travel cost reimbursements available through a partnership with Ranchin’ Vets. Information on travel cost reimbursements will be provided upon acceptance to the training.
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. However, there are travel cost reimbursements available through a partnership with Ranchin’ Vets. Information on travel cost reimbursements will be provided upon acceptance to the training.
Questions?
Please contact Margo Hale at margoh@ncat.org.
The application period for this event is now closed.
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.
