Entries by Robyn Metzger

NCAT Brings Regional Emphasis to Armed to Farm Veterans’ Training  

Farmers in the Northwest Arkansas area can now apply for Armed to Farm The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will host its free Armed to Farm training with a specific focus on strengthening the local food system in the Northwest Arkansas region by supporting and encouraging its veterans who want to pursue sustainable agriculture. […]

Application Period Open for Armed to Urban Farm in New Orleans

NCAT and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) are offering their popular veterans’ urban agriculture training in New Orleans in October 2024. 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 […]

Application Period Open for Armed to Farm in Iowa

NCAT is teaming up with Practical Farmers of Iowa to host an Armed to Farm training in Cedar Rapids. Veterans who want to attend the week-long training can apply now. About Armed to Farm 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 […]

Armed to Urban Farm Featured on Scripps National News

A story about the Armed to Urban Farm program’s recent training has been featured on more than 40 television news stations around the country. The free training included two virtual sessions and three days of in-person sessions in Memphis, TN. Armed to Urban Farm, presented in partnership with the U.S. Botanic Garden, is an outgrowth […]

Local Farms are Highlights of High Country Armed to Farm

NCAT’s Armed to Farm program recently celebrated its thirtieth week-long training with an event at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. We spent July 25-29 in the beautiful High Country of North Carolina and got to visit operations that reflect the distinctive agriculture of the region.

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.”

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 of Arkansas PBS. “Military veterans focused on sustainable and regenerative methods, like here at The […]

‘Modern Farmer’ Features Armed to Urban Farm Alum

Armed to Urban Farm alum De’Keither Stamps is featured in the latest “Meet the Modern Farmer” section of the online magazine Modern Farmer. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and Army, De’Keither returned to his native Mississippi after 12 years of military service.

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.