Plenaries:
Government Partners Panel
Since our first conference in Des Moines in 2014, the Government Partners Panel has been a catalyst for the collaboration of five major departments of the federal government in supporting veterans pursuing agricultural careers–the Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans
For the second straight year, NIFA will present the six awardees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Ag Vets grants. These nonprofits will share with conference attendees the projects that are funded to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills through comprehensive, hands-on and immersive model farm and ranch programs offered regionally that lead to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector.
Successful Farmer Veterans
It’s the highlight of every conference! Featuring exceptionally successful veterans–and active-duty military–from across the country and in a wide range of farming paths, these inspirational stories and successes exemplify our mission of mobilizing veterans to feed America.
Breakouts:
Monday Breakout #1
Regenerative Ag: Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants, Healthy People
Healthy soils–the key to strong yields, healthy livestock, and nutritional food. Learn from industry experts on how to protect and improve your farm’s most valuable asset–its soil.
USDA: Serving Our Veterans
Serving veterans is a priority at the US Department of Agriculture. A panel of USDA personnel will address the many ways the agency can help you build your farm. Learn about leadership opportunities within the USDA where you can help shape policy and programs, from your local county to the national level. Meet USDA employees who can answer your questions about programs the Department has to offer, and leave with tips for success in navigating USDA.
Pastured Poultry: The Chicken and the Egg
Learn how three first-generation farmer veterans have combined hard work, smart business sense, and savvy marketing to create strong, profitable businesses producing pasture-fed meat birds and eggs.
Growing Farm Profits
A successful farmer needs to be successful at business. Gary Matteson, Farm Credit, will give a class on Business 101 for farmers including understanding cash flow, balance sheets and business plans.
The Seedy Side of Farming Repeat Session – just added!
Seed production is an important, and often overlooked, crop option for your farm. Learn from industry leaders in both conventional and organic seed production how your farm can become a seed producer.
Monday Breakout #2
Catch the Buzz on Beekeeping
Beekeeping is an option for farmers of all sizes, including those with little or no land themselves. Learn from veterans who have built businesses around both honey and pollination.
The Seedy Side of Farming
Seed production is an important, and often overlooked, crop option for your farm. Learn from industry leaders in both conventional and organic seed production how your farm can become a seed producer.
Ag Careers: Farming with a Paycheck
Owning a farm isn’t for everyone. Many veterans have found rewarding careers in agriculture through a wide array of employment in our industry. Whether it’s working for an existing farming operation, representing an agricultural organization, or providing a product or service, opportunities abound.
Rangers on the Range
Five Post-9/11 Army Rangers, with nearly 20 combat deployments among them to Iraq and Afghanistan, now all proudly raise high quality beef and sell it with the Homegrown By Heroes label.
Tuesday Breakout
Holding Down the (Farm) Fort: Spouses of the Veteran
Many FVC members are still serving in the military. Learn how spouses and farm partners cope with caring for children, livestock, and farms while their spouse is deployed. Equally compelling is the story of a veteran who has taken on the role of caregiver for her service-injured veteran husband whose mission is now farming.
Get Your Crops in a Row
With hard times hitting our country’s commodity growers, our panel of veterans will share insight to how they navigate the waters of growing corn, soybeans, wheat, and other large acreage row crops.
Digging My Veggies
Need the insiders scoop on crop planning, production techniques, and market strategies for increasing yield and profitability on your vegetable or flower farm? A panel of veterans leads the way.
Industrial Hemp Production: Boon or Bust?
With industrial hemp now legal, this panel of leaders in the field will look at the laws, the opportunities, and the challenges facing those who want to make hemp production part of their farm plans.
Sources for Business Growth New Session – just added!
Just like the military, business ownership is not a solo mission – it takes a team and a plan to be successful! Join the U.S. Small Business Administration, Veterans Business Outreach Center, and other partners for this powerful workshop on business basics, including an overview of resources to make the business journey easier. Discover how to access free SBA services and resources available to service members, veterans, and military spouses in every state, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands to help fulfill dreams of becoming a business owner. Participants will have the chance to discuss ideas and challenges with experts who have served in the military and who have also owned their own veteran businesses.
Catch the Buzz on Beekeeping Repeat Session – just added!
Beekeeping is an option for farmers of all sizes, including those with little or no land themselves. Learn from veterans who have built businesses around both honey and pollination.