Entries by Robyn Metzger

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 […]

October 27, 2022 by

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.

September 21, 2022 by

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.”

January 11, 2022 by

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.

November 11, 2021 by

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 […]

September 16, 2021 by

‘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.

August 9, 2021 by

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.

July 22, 2021 by

NCAT’s Armed to Farm Returns to In-Person Training

After a year of waiting and hoping and Zooming, we were thrilled to finally host the 25th week-long Armed to Farm in May 2021 at Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville. We were so happy to be back with a group of military veterans eager and ready to learn about sustainable farming.

June 4, 2021 by