Mobilizing Veterans to Feed America

MOBILIZING VETERANS to Feed America by Keith Sutton

In May 2007, longtime farmer Michael O’Gorman invited fellow farmers from several southern California counties to a meeting he had been planning for some time. He wanted to see if the group could come up with ways to create farm jobs for veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I believe deeply in American agriculture and the rich reward it can give to all who take part in it,” he said. Sharing that opportunity with men and women coming home from war was a vision he’d had for years.

Among those attending that first meeting were three women who had lost their sons in overseas combat: Nadia McCaffrey, Dolores Kesterson and Mary Tillman, mother of Pat Tillman, who left a lucrative NFL career to serve his country. The idea of opening up farms — and all the beauty, peace and opportunity they provide — to those returning from war, captivated them and the others in attendance. Before the day ended, the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) was born.

“Our plan was simple: find a way to help these veterans and then tell their stories,” O’Gorman said. “It felt positive, optimistic and healing for all of us.” Connecting veterans to agriculture was something that no one had tried in modern times,” said O’Gorman. “To take that idea and turn it into what FVC is today — with 20,000 members, support across the federal government and a vast network of partnering groups now helping this effort — has

Front Porch | ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU • SUMMER 2020 been the hardest thing I have done. ”

Following that initial meeting, the Farmer Veteran Coalition quickly grew into a national nonprofit that mobilizes veterans to feed America. Their mission is rooted in their strong belief that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to create sustainable food systems and strengthen rural communities. FVC develops meaningful careers for veterans by fostering collaboration of the farming and military communities.

“Connecting veterans to agriculture was something that no one had tried in modern times,” said O’Gorman. “To take that idea and turn it into what FVC is today — with 20,000 members, support across the federal government and a vast network of partnering groups now helping this effort — has been the hardest thing I have done.”

Already, FVC has assisted hundreds of veterans with everything from equipment to business plans, and financial advice to training. But the coalition continues growing, with new state chapters recently established in Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee. Michael Sparks of Searcy, owner of Honeycomb Ridge Farms,

Michael Sparks, in and out of uniform.

Sparks and his son, Connor, working with their bees at Honeycomb Ridge Farm near Searcy.

a beekeeping and produce operation in White County, was selected as president of the Arkansas group.

“When I started beekeeping and got back into agriculture, I was looking for resources and found Farmer Veterans Coalition,” said Sparks, who has served in the Arkansas Army National Guard for almost 20 years. “It’s a national organization, but when I looked for an Arkansas connection, I found it didn’t exist. For the last eight months, we’ve been in the process of making that connection and starting a state chapter here. We have established that, and now we want to expand on activities like mentorship and networking with the veteran community of Arkansas.”

State chapters like the one in Arkansas are effective at integrating farmer veterans into local agricultural communities. They bridge the gap between the nationally driven movement and resources at the state and county level to help them achieve success in agriculture. They are essential for ensuring members are aware of regional opportunities.

“Because national travel remains uncertain, our chapters may be the first to organize local gatherings and on-farm training opportunities that are so important to our members,” said O’Gorman. “Even as we are unable to engage in person on a larger scale, chapter organizers are networking with local farmer veterans through teleconference capabilities; the growth is occurring despite COVID-19.”

Sparks said the Arkansas chapter has three primary goals.

“Number one, we want to be a starting point for the Arkansas veteran, whether they’re still serving in the military or have exited their service,” he noted. “We want them to know that agriculture is a viable option, and it doesn’t matter if you want to pursue raising row crops or something as alternative as beekeeping. There are many different ways you can be a part of agriculture, and we want to be the starting point for that.

“Number two is we want to build a network for that starting farmer, no matter what their skill level is, and place them in a position so they can have direct contact with a diversified squad of skilled farmers who can help them choose what fits them best. This also gives them a source of exposure so they can ask questions and be connected with operations that will help them be successful.”

Number three, he says, “is to be the place where these veterans can build partnerships so they can finance, equip and gain technical training, as well as becoming mentors themselves. Other states like Washington, Michigan, Virginia and Oregon have been working on these efforts already, so they’ve kind of started this thing off. We’re just going to put an Arkansas flavor to it. We’re an agricultural state and have a lot of

different things to offer. So there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be a leader in this community.”

There’s no cost to be a member of FVC, and non-veterans can join, too.

“We are here to help the veteran,” said Sparks, “but we want to give them as many different perspectives as possible. A lot of that comes from experts who have never served in the military, but they are the experts in their fields. Take orchard production, for example. There are some really smart people who know how to grow some of the best plums and peaches in Arkansas. Those people can provide a knowledge base for the veteran to give them the confidence they need to succeed. So it’s an inclusive chapter. If you want to be a part of reaching out and helping these veterans, you’ll certainly be welcomed.” •

For more information on the Farmer Veterans Coalition, go to www.farmvetco.org or www.facebook.com/FVCArkansas/. You also can send an email to Arkansas@farmvetco.org or reach president Michael Sparks at 501-593-9631.

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MORE VETERANS PROGRAMS

ARKANSAS FARM CORPS provides a ready, willing and able workforce of National Guard and Reserve soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and other military veterans in service to American agriculture. This initiative is led by Congressman Rick Crawford, in partnership with the National Guard and Arkansas Farm Bureau. “Now is the time to protect our food supply, said Crawford. “Food security is national security, and no two groups understand that better than the farmers who produce our food and the service members who secure our nation.” www.facebook.com/ArkansasFarmCorps/

The VETS4AG program provides veteran farm and ranch families with veteran-related resources and mentorship opportunities. The program also assists veterans interested in farming with tools, resources and mentors to support their transition to agriculture. www.arfb.com/pages/legislative-issues/vets4ag-program/

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