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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #302525
Title: Armed to Farm: Developing training programs for military veterans in agriculture

Author
item DONOGHUE, D - University Of Arkansas
item GOODWIN, H - University Of Arkansas
item MAYS, A - University Of Arkansas
item KOMALA, A - University Of Arkansas
item HALE, M - National Center For Appropriate Technology
item SPENCER, T - Farmer-Veteran Coalition
item GORMAN, M - Farmer-Veteran Coalition
item SHIBU, J - University Of Missouri
item GEKARA, O - University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
item Burke, Joan
item Donoghue, Ann - Annie

Submitted to: Journal of Rural Social Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2014
Publication Date: 12/4/2014
Citation: Donoghue, D.J., Goodwin, H.L., Mays, A.R., Komala, A., Hale, M., Spencer, T., Gorman, M., Shibu, J., Gekara, O.J., Burke, J.M., Donoghue, A.M. 2014. Armed to Farm: Developing training programs for military veterans in agriculture. Journal of Rural Social Sciences. 29(2):82-93.

Interpretive Summary: Farming offers a viable avenue for returning veterans to transition and reincorporate into society. Farming opportunities for veterans are a natural fit and capitalize on skills that made them successful in the military. However, these opportunities may be missed due to lack of targeted training programs, guidance and information. We have assembled a unique team with expertise in teaching conventional and alternative agriculture, hands-on training, economics, research and networking resources targeted to veteran farmers. Since 2007, our team has directly supported approximately 300 veterans in the Southern region, including Arkansas and Missouri, through workshops, internships, research and training opportunities and an additional 650 veterans nationally through the Farmer Veteran Coalition. This article provides components customized for working with veterans that are important to success of our programs. As more programs develop for veterans in agricultural disciplines these may be beneficial to extension specialists and educators working with this population. Data on farming practices, educational strategies, training and mentorship for veterans are evaluated.

Technical Abstract: Farming offers a viable avenue for returning veterans to transition and reincorporate into society. Farming opportunities for veterans are a natural fit and capitalize on skills that made them successful in the military. However, these opportunities may be missed due to lack of targeted training programs, guidance and information. We have assembled a unique team with expertise in teaching conventional and alternative agriculture, hands-on training, economics, research and networking resources targeted to veteran farmers. Since 2007, our team has directly supported approximately 300 veterans in the Southern region, including Arkansas and Missouri, through workshops, internships, research and training opportunities and an additional 650 veterans nationally through the Farmer Veteran Coalition. This article provides components customized for working with veterans that are important to success of our programs. As more programs develop for veterans in agricultural disciplines these may be beneficial to extension specialists and educators working with this population. Data on farming practices, educational strategies, training and mentorship for veterans are evaluated.