Farmer Veteran Coalition

Our three-year goals are 1) to create a national veteran-to-veteran peer network that provides or facilitates access to training, education, internships, jobs, mentors, referrals and resources for beginning veteran farmers 2) to increase the agricultural capacity (e.g., level of agricultural production, financial, risk management and business development skills) of beginning veteran farmers, and 3) to increase the number of beginning veteran farmers entering into farming.

 

The Farmer Veteran Peer Network: Will consist of a national database of beginning veteran farmers, experienced veteran and seasoned farmers, organizations, and businesses that will be utilized to develop, provide, or facilitate access to, training, education, mentorships, internships, jobs, referrals and resources for beginning veteran farmers. This network will also serve to detect real-time educational needs, gaps in service, and barriers. It will also help identify and provide the resources needed for the provision of comprehensive capacity development assistance; tailored to the veterans’ individual assessment and development plan.

 

Over the past year, FVC and our partners have shared historic accomplishments and realized significant progress towards our mission. We have brought national attention to the movement, helped mold legislative policy, developed and cultivated partnerships that will have influential and long-lasting impact on our veterans, and their families. We have gained an increased understanding and insight of our veteran’s needs and barriers, and we served more veterans last year; than all other years combined.

We are thankful for your support that has allowed us to help so many deserving veterans.

“Our vision of the future is an organization that will be around for decades, in every state and continuing to unite the agricultural sector – government, education, private industry, conventional and alternative farming and the veterans themselves.”

        - Michael O’Gorman, Founder & Executive Director, Farmer Veteran Coalition - 

In order to achieve Michael’s vision, we can’t stop and admire our work, we need to push forward and meet the increased demand for our services and assistance; a demand that is meteoric and growing each day.

 

Currently, FVC has 10,260 members.

During the last year, 3,172 new members joined FVC.

7.2% of those new members were women; 76% were white, 7.5% were Hispanic, 7% were African American, and 4.9% are Hispanc.  72% served post 9/11 and 38% have service connected disabilities. 

93% of the members are retired, reserve, active duty or veterans of the U.S. military. Of those, 53% were Army, 16% Marines, 15% Navy, 12% Air Force, 4% Coast Guard.

Most surprisingly, 37% own or have access to land. With 16% having 5-10 acres, 14% with 10-20 acres, 18% with 20-50 acres, 10% with 50-100 and 16% with more than 100.

The majority have less than 4 years of experience in farming - 37.78% had been farming less than a year, 13.33% 1-2yrs, 11.67% 2-3yrs, 6.11% 3-4yrs, 31.11% 4+ yrs.