FVC Mission Statement The mission of the Farmer Veteran Coalition is to mobilize veterans to feed America What We Believe We believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems for all ID: 279642
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Slide1
Farmer Veteran CoalitionSlide2
FVC Mission Statement
The mission of the Farmer Veteran Coalition is to mobilize veterans to feed America.
Slide3
What We Believe
We believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems for all.
We believe that food production offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits.Slide4
Our Guiding Principles
We guide the
passion of our veterans
so that they may earn for themselves a meaningful, financially sustainable place in the agricultural community.
We
believe in the
meritocracy of American Agriculture
, where personal responsibility for one's actions and individual initiative in pursuit of one's goals can create personal success. We believe in the fundamental dignity of physical work.
We acknowledge the plurality of agricultural crops, practices, scale and markets available to our veterans. We
honor, guide, and support the practical farming path chosen by each veteran. We are committed to leveraging our work through a network of partnerships.
We support all valid national, regional, or crop-specific efforts to connect veterans with agriculture and
encourage collaboration
instead of competition with other groups providing services to our nation’s veterans.
We recognize the
range of opportunities
for employment throughout the agricultural economy. We sponsor and encourage both employment and self-employment in agriculture, and equally value the contributions made by all members of the agricultural industry who feed America.
We
support and treat the whole veteran
. We are aware of the high number of veterans that return with both visible and invisible wounds.
We
recognize the geographic and psychological isolation common to both farmers and veterans. Creating contact between our
Farmer Veterans
, and a sense of
community
amongst them, is an important part of our mission. Slide5
Background
Michael O’Gorman started the Farmer Veteran Coalition in January 2008.
Michael: pioneer
organic
farmer for over 40 years.
Production Manager in organic vegetable production. Slide6
Why Vets and Farming?
The average age of a U.S. Farmer is 57 yrs old. For every 2 retiring, 1 begins
45% of the military population comes from rural communitiesSlide7
Why Vets and Farming Continued…
“These are the longest wars in American history. The veterans we work with are not looking for a hand-out when they come home, but the opportunity to continue serving their country through the production of food”.
–
Michael O’GormanSlide8
What does FVC provide?
Informational resources
Links/contacts
for appropriate federal
programs
Library
Farm Support
ReferralsSlide9
What FVC provides continued…
Mentorships
Access to agriculture training programs
Educational retreats
Educational conferences and workshopsSlide10
What FVC provides continued…
Job Placement
Internship & Apprenticeship Placement
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship FundSlide11
Job Placement
FVC networks with the agriculture industry to determine employment needs/ gaps that can be filled by veterans.
Ideal
non-seasonal
positions:
production, sales/ marketing, purchasing, administrative support, and management. Slide12
Internship/ Apprenticeship Placement
Goal: Enable future employment in agriculture
Hands-on learning
Farm based education
Future MentorsSlide13
Training Needs
Distinct need for hands-on training.
Certifications
Degrees
Real life ExperienceSlide14
The Fellowship Fund
Goal:
Assist
veterans beginning a career in food and farming, and assist current Farmer Veterans with business expansion
.
Two Tracks
Food & Farming
Education & TrainingSlide15
Our vets
Diversified Vegetable
Heritage Poultry
Maple Syrup production
Mead production
Vineyards/ wine production
Grass Fed Cattle
Fruit Orchards
Nut Orchards
BerriesAquaponicsSlide16
What we are looking for
FVC works to grow a
network of Farmer
VeteransSlide17
FVC Leadership
Former unit leaders (squad level and higher) and officers to function as mentors.
Current Farmer Veterans to act as mentorsSlide18
Contact Us
Contact us: info@farmvetco.org
www.farmvetco.org
Ph.530-756-1395 Fax.530-756-1612