Checklist for Veterans Who are Farming (or Want to Farm)
As a farmer (or if you want to be a farmer), you ought to become familiar with these informational resources/agencies/organizations in your state. A downloadable PDF is available below.
[ ] University of Maine Cooperative Extension
[ ] Identify the UMaine Extension agriculturist in your county and arrange a meeting. Extension staff include professionals, educators, and specialists.
[ ] Visit the Beginning Farmer Resource Network website in your state to view information and all of the agencies that assist new farmers.
[ ] If you have a physical or cognitive disability (or limitation), consider connecting with the AgrAbility program in your state or the National AgrAbility Program. Not all states have such programs.
[ ] USDA Veteran Initiatives
[ ] USDA Service Center for your county (map)
[ ] Farm Service Agency (FSA) for $ loans
[ ] Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to learn about their programs for farmers and landowners
[ ] Farm Credit for $ agricultural loans
[ ] State Department of Agriculture – Search for your state or contact the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. They could provide the contact for your state. Your state department of agriculture likely has offices that address the following aspects of agriculture.
[ ] Licensing and Regulations
[ ] Bureaus and Programs
[ ] Marketing
[ ] Business and Technical Assistance
[ ] Pesticide Use and Certification – Board of Pesticides Control
[ ] Farmer Veteran Coalition – You can join FVC and be kept informed of their programs and services. There is no fee to join.
[ ] Identify other farmer veterans groups in your state and strengthen your network.
To Do:
[ ] Assemble a list of questions you may have about farming.
[ ] Identify the Extension agriculturist in your county.
[ ] Contact that Extension staff member and request a farm visit.
[ ] Ask about Extension mailing lists that fit your locale or interests.Mark the farm enterprise type(s) in which you are interested:
__beef __dairy __bees __goat __poultry __rabbit __sheep __swine
__berries/small fruit __tree fruit __vegetables __nuts __grain __herbs __flowers __hemp __hay __maple __hops __Christmas trees __forestry __other ________________________
Checklist for Veterans Who Want to Find Farm Employment
[ ] Make a list of the skills and knowledge you want to learn.
[ ] Think about what type of farm you want to work on.
__beef __dairy __bees __goat __poultry __rabbit __sheep __swine
__berries/small fruit __tree fruit __vegetables __nuts __grain __herbs __flowers __hemp __hay __maple __hops __Christmas trees __forestry __other ________________________
[ ] Contact Extension in your county.
[ ] Ask to speak with the staff member who is the agriculturist.
[ ] Develop a short list of questions you may have about farm work.
[ ] Ask the Extension staff person for help in answering your questions about farm work.
[ ] Determine if you want to full-time, part-time, or seasonal work.
[ ] If you have a physical or cognitive disability (or limitation), consider contacting Extension’s AgrAbility program. Not all states have AgrAbility programs. Visit the National AgrAbility Project website.
[ ] If you want to identify farms for possible employment in your locale, consider searching the internet.
[ ] Connect with your local Vet Center, visit the Find Locations page on their website.