Veteran to Farmer Programs: An Emerging Nature-Based Program Trend

Veteran to Farmer Programs:Author(s): Lesley L. Fleming

Source: Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture , Vol. 25, No. 1 (2015), pp. 27-48

Published by: American Horticultural Therapy Association

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/24865257

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Veteran to Farmer Programs:

An Emerging Nature-Based

Programming Trend

Lesley L. Fleming, MA, HTR


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 28

Veterans returning from Post 9/11 conflicts transitioning into civilian life are faced with multiple issues; health challenges both physical and psychological, re-integration into society, and suitable employment. The Department of

Labor reported that as of May 2010, over 20% of young veterans were unemployed (USDA,

2013). In 2013 The Iraq and Afghanistan

Veterans of America organization reported that unemployment among Post 9/11 veterans was three points higher than the national average, over 50% suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD) with even more widespread psychological challenges due to combat duty.

Compounding the problem, there is a ninemonth wait for disability benefits for those who can’t work and a backlog of more than 420,000 benefit claims in the VA system (Brasch 2013,

Lowitt, 2014).

Programs and services addressing this transition from military to civilian life for

Post 9/11 veterans have been developed.

In particular, veterans’ programs that use farming in rehabilitation, vocational training, and career redirection address some of the challenges of transitioning into civilian life.

These programs seem to appeal not only to the 45% of armed service members from rural America (USDA 2013), but also to other veterans, government organizations, and educational institutions. Veteran to farmer programs have been gaining momentum since 2007 when they began to emerge. A significant benchmark for such programs was reached when the national Farm Bill, passed in

February 2014, identified veterans to farmers as a specific group eligible for agriculture programs and benefits. A review of veteran to farmer programs may provide health service practitioners a more in-depth understanding of the Post 9/11 population and of new naturebased programming models that address the multi-faceted dimensions of their health and well-being.

Demand for programs and services for Post 9/11 veterans have grown dramatically in the last decade. As more military personnel transition into civilian life, one type of programming that has emerged is veteran to farmer programs. Referred to as protector to provider or guns to greenhouses (Veterans Farmer Coalition,

2013a) these terms are descriptive of the transitioning role and agriculture-based activity some veterans are selecting. A review of existing programs provides evidence of this trend. Descriptions of the programs shed light on elements integral to veteran to farmer programs. As models of nature-based programming used for veteran populations, these programs may inform other institutions working with Post 9/11 veterans and populations such as marginalized mental health and substance abuse populations and rehabilitation, horticultural, recreation, and physical therapies professionals working in health and human service sectors.

Initiated in the last ten years, veteran to farmer programs have taken two distinct forms for veterans who want to farm; programs that deliver classroom and experiential agriculture education, and programs that provide information-- on funding, resources, and employment opportunities. Both types of programs offer veterans opportunities to consider farming for short-term or long-term benefits including employment, rehabilitation, or agriculture ownership opportunities.

Most of the programs combine a range of services, many with a therapeutic or healing component. The need for programs that address the widespread prevalence of physical and psychological trauma experienced as a result of military duty continues to expand with the increase in veteran populations. Veteran to farmer programs offer connecting to nature through farm activity as an alternative rehabilitative model.

Background

Military duty veterans transitioning from Post 9/11 are faced with multiple issues:

VA clinics are overwhelmed; families of returning soldiers, 30% of whom have diagnoses of traumatic brain injury have shown staggering increases in domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, depression, substance abuse, unemployment, and homelessness.

These factors have led to the disintegration of many military families. It would appear that there is a need for programs that can ease the transition of veterans from military to civilian life (Veterans

Farm, 2013).


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29 JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I

Veterans to Farmers greenhouse in Denver. Photo Credit: Veterans to

Farmers of Aero Farms Co_Evan and Esther

Farming programs for transitioning veterans have emerged as one type of programming that addresses the needs of this population. Its emergence coincides with gaps in the agricultural sector relating to aging farmer demographics, updated agricultural practices and technology, sustainability and food security concerns, and declining rural communities. As a theoretical solution for these inter-related issues, it has been suggested that a labor pool willing to re-locate to rural communities and who have the capacity to learn new farming techniques might redress some of these agricultural challenges (Farmer Veteran Coalition,

2014a).

Identified as a skilled workforce, though not necessarily trained in agriculture, Post 9/11 veterans represent a potential labor pool (Center for Rural Affairs, 2013).

Post 9/11 veterans have been identified as the highest unemployed demographic in the country. However, many have expressed their desire to have meaningful productive employment in civilian life (Farmer Veteran

Coalition, 2014b) and a large percentage of military personnel come from rural communities (USDA, 2013a).

This supply and demand scenario in the agricultural sector has contributed to the emergence of veteran to farmer programs. This diverse group of stakeholders— veterans, farmers, rural communities, food consumers, and government agencies-- have mutually beneficial goals. Veteran to farmer programming is seen as an innovative way to transition veterans into society.

Veterans’ career preferences, talents, and military training can contribute to agriculture and food production; an important sector of society which is experiencing labor, production and rural community challenges.

In addition to the demographic and agriculture rationale supporting veteran to farmer programs, the potential health and well-being of transitioning veterans has contributed to the development of these programs.

The well documented health challenges that Post

9/11 veterans face in all health domains (physical, mental, social, cognitive, and emotional) represent new challenges to medical, therapeutic, and other Veterans

Affairs professionals. With increasing awareness of the scope of mental health challenges and large numbers of veterans requesting services to deal with their health deficits, there is growing interest in alternative program and services that can address the unique Post 9/11 health and well-being challenges. Programs that can combine rehabilitation, healing, vocational training, and employment are part of this alternative programming trend.

Contact with Nature Research

Veteran to farmer programs have emerged as an innovative approach in addressing these multi-faceted challenges of Post 9/11 veterans. Little of the research on contact with nature is specifically focused on veterans, however, some of the research themes parallel health issues relevant to veterans: psychological and physical healing from trauma, improving self-esteem and social skills, finding meaningful work, making sense of previous life’s experiences, and distraction from pain.

The historical use of farm activity for rehabilitation dates back to the 1800s. Dr. Benjamin Rush used gardening and farming in 1798 for treatment for mental health patients in the United States (Simson, 1998). Dr.

MacKinnon incorporated gardening and pig farming as treatment at Scotland’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Mental and Nervous Disorders in 1839 (Parr,


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2005). During World War II gardening was used as occupational therapy for U.S. veterans (this eventually led to the development of the horticultural therapy profession (Simson, 1998). Current day practices reveal therapeutic farms in North America and Europe where farming activity and farm settings are used as treatment modalities and delivery sites for a range of groups including substance abuse, psychiatric, and at-risk youth populations. Few of these therapeutic farms are specific for veteran populations, however, the existence of these therapeutic farms, the increasing prevalence of

European Care Farms (Hine , Peacock, Pretty 2008), and the emergence of veteran to farmer programs suggest that therapeutic interventions which are naturebased can provide positive health and well-being outcomes for military veterans.

Biologist E.O.Wilson’s biophilia theory suggests that humans have an innate human trait to affiliate with other forms of life and that human well-being requires this bond to other living systems (1984). This connection, broadly referred to as contact with nature, has been empirically investigated in multiple disciplines including psychiatry, horticulture, public health, and environmental health. Findings from numerous studies support the premise that contact with nature is beneficial for human health and well- being. Burls

(2007a), Heerwagen (2009), Faber-Taylor and Kuo

(2009) researched the effect that contact with nature had on health human psychology and physiology. Burls’ research links human interactions with nature to human growth and development in cognitive, emotional, spiritual and aesthetic domains (2007b). Though not specifically developed for military personnel, Burls’ theory is compelling because it identifies human growth and development areas that speak to both active military and veteran experiences. These include coping with adversity, heightened awareness (during combat), physical and mental fitness, and critical thinking skills.

Contact with nature research, including recent ecotherapy and ecopyschology studies tease out

Burls’ Values, Human Interactions with Nature and Human Growth and Development Matrix (2007b).

Name of Value

Doministic

Humanistic

Naturalistic

Aesthetic

Utilitarian

Negatavisitic

Scientific

Moralistic

Symbolic

Type of Human Interaction

Control and mastery of nature Coping with adversity; leading to enhanced self-esteem

Emotional/affective attachment to nature Contributing to trust, co-operation

& socability

Direct contact with nature

Example of Human

Growth/Development

Beauty of nature & physical attraction

Practical importance of nature

Contributing to physical fitness, mental acuity, sense of natural rhythms & their authenticity

Contributing to creativity, harmony, balance, heightened awareness

Contributing to emphasizing practical elements, especially for survival

Fear and aversion to nature

Knowledge of nature

Ethical & spiritual importance of nature

Contributing to respect & reverence for power & danger, learning to constructively handle challenges

Contributing to analytical-cognitive abilities, critical thinking, problem-solving skills

Contributing to sense of harmony with humans and the natural world

Metaphorical significance of nature Contributing to understanding of opportunities, process of understanding one’s own circumstances, adaptability


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31 JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I specific experiences, health challenges and treatment modalities. Selhud and Logan (2012) identify hundreds of research articles that use the overarching theory that experiences in nature provide balance in today’s stress-filled society. Townsend and Weerasuriya (2010) reviewed a range of nature-based therapeutic modalities including horticultural therapy, animal assisted therapy, green (outdoor) exercise, tree climbing, school ground greening, adventure and wilderness therapy, and care farming . Batt-Hawdon and Tellnes’ (2005) research revealed that using outdoor activity for rehabilitation can provide stimulation, empowerment and creative opportunities that can distract people from their social and health problems for short periods of time, these contributing to making sense of experiences by providing a sense of life’s continuity and coherence. Stephen

Kaplan’s (1995) attention restoration theory suggests passive and active interactions with nature can restore attentional capacity and provide cognitive rejuvenation .

Research by Groeneweggen, van den Berg, de Vries,

Verheij (2006), and others indicates that human’s higher level needs were met through the diverse and numerous features and opportunities provided by nature including mental stimulation, socialization and the fulfillment of basic human needs of usefulness, self-worth, love and nurturing (Nebbe 2006; O’Brien 2005b). Brown and

Kasser (2005) and others suggest that working with plants and in the outdoors positively benefits the mental health, outlook and sense of wellness of the individuals

(Brown et al, 2005, Matsuo and Relf 1995). Research by Smith (1998), McGinnis (1989) and McBey (1985) has revealed that cultivation activities can trigger a healing response and illness prevention. Reviewing this body of research on contact with nature suggests that consideration of nature-based programming may be helpful to military veterans and the health challenges they face.

Research and current day health practices demonstrate the link between contact with nature and therapeutic outcomes. Ecopsycology and horticultural, recreation, occupational and physical therapies utilize formalized treatment methodologies using plant, gardening and other nature-based activities to achieve specific and documented health outcomes. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, many therapeutic benefits of nature-based activity are possible including; redirection of anger, spiritual renewal, physical exhaustion, strengthening of limbs, opportunities for appropriate social engagement, acquisition of new skills, and increasing a sense of belonging and acceptance (AHTA 2007). While these health disciplines regard therapeutic outcomes as results of formalized treatment assessments and treatment plans, a broader definition of therapeutic—exhibiting healing powers—can identify and explain therapeutic benefits that may lack formalized treatment goals, but which may none the less improve health and well-being.

The Link Between Contact with Nature and

Therapeutic Outcomes in Veteran to Farmer Programs

Veteran to farmer programs are an example where therapeutic outcomes have been realized even in the absence of formalized treatment plans. Based on anecdotal self-reports by participating veterans and observations by staff, veteran to farmer programs appear to provide therapeutic--healing elements.

Interviews with staff from organizations delivering veteran to farmer programs have revealed several trends. The early veteran to farmer programs were not necessarily based on theoretical, medical or therapeutic modalities but rather on intuition that a farm, a natural setting, could provide physical activity that could offer relief from stress, PTSD, while providing meaningful work and potential career opportunities (A. Buck, personal communication, Nov. 2013). Individuals who founded the veteran to farmer programs initiated them because they saw a need for healing and rehabilitation for transitioning veterans (Veteran Farmer 2013; Farmer

Veteran Coalition 2014; Archi’s Acres n.d.). The term

contact with nature was not used to define or describe their programs. Awareness of research on contact with nature and/or therapeutic modalities was limited, and not considered to be part of their pervues (Riley, 2014;

Levitsky, 2014 personal communication). The emerging veteran to farmer programming models are delivered by people with agriculture experience—the programs have as their primary focus training, re-training and mastery of agricultural vocational skills. However, improved health from participating in veteran to farmer programs was widespread according to self-reports

(personal communication with Center for Rural Affairs

2014, Delaware Valley College 2014, Michigan State

University 2013).

At this stage of program development, few veteran to farmer programs identify therapeutic outcomes using conventional medical or therapeutic metrics. However, therapeutic disciplines do recognize vocational training


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 32 to be a cornerstone of rehabilitation and healing, particularly when it can lead to meaningful work, economic stability and improved health benefits. The

American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) identifies vocational horticulture programming as a model that combines therapeutic goals, horticulture activities and therapeutic outcomes including life and vocational skills development, elevated mood, strengthening of physical abilities, distraction from pain, and improved social skills to name a few

(AHTA, 2007). There are significant commonalities between AHTA-identified benefits and those health improvements veterans have self-reported. These include gainful employment, relief from PTSD symptoms, and improved mental, physical, and emotional health (Farmer Veteran Coalition, 2014b).

Further investigation may provide empirical evidence to substantiate the therapeutic benefits of veteran to farmer programs that to date have focused on self-reports by

Post 9/11 veterans participating in the veteran to farmer programs.

Limitations to the Current Report

The number of peer-reviewed articles on veteran to farmer programs is limited. The most current information available is found on veteran to farmer program websites and from personal communication with program staff. Although quite current, the information gathered in this manner may lack the detail and credibility of other sources of information such as published reports.

A snowball sampling procedure was used to collect data

(Goodman, 1961). In this report, farm program staff were asked to name other veteran to farmer programs.

Review of Veteran to Farmer Programs

In the following review, 24 veteran to farmer programs have been examined. The commonality among these disparate programs is the intent of the program—each provides services that support Post 9/11 veterans exploring or experiencing farming as potential post military activity. The review uncovered two distinct types of programs—agriculture education and information-

based programs. Eleven veteran to farmer programs deliver agriculture education to veterans in classroom and experiential learning settings typically combining agricultural vocational training, therapeutic elements, and employment opportunities. The information-based category, with 13 programs, focuses on economic, financial and government programs specific for veterans transitioning into farming. The latter category has been included in Appendix A.

Of note is the broad cross-section of organizations that deliver veteran to farmer programs. Government, non-profit, for-profit, and educational institutions play a role in veteran to farmer programming. Some of the organizations are national in scope, some regional or state focused, and others are programs initiated by individuals, including veterans. All of the programs are agriculture focused, most are farming specific, some narrow the focus to post-production farming, and others include ranching. Combined, the organizations offer a wide array of programs and services including fellowships, financial support, legislative entitlements, classroom and hands-on education, employment, and franchise opportunities within the agriculture sector.

Many of the veteran to farmer programs integrate sustainable farming, organic farming, or new farming methods, reflecting the concurrent trend to more sustainable agriculture. This is the current context in which the veteran to farmer programs are emerging.

Agriculture Education Programs

Eleven agriculture education programs designed and delivered specifically for veterans are described in this review. More than just agriculture coursework, many include therapeutic or healing components, recognizing the challenges faced by transitioning veterans. Where available, comments about the therapeutic/healing aspects as reported by program staff have been included

(Appendix B contains the interview questions posed to program staff. Eight of the 11 programs responded to requests for interviews).

The organizations that deliver the veteran to farmer programs are diverse, as are the programs; there is no one program model that is ubiquitous. Each program has its own specific focus or specialization. One recurring trend- the programs are often affiliated with higher learning institutions. The 11 veteran to farmer agriculture education programs are:

• Farmer Veteran Coalition

• Farmer Veteran Coalition of Maine Chapter

• Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa Chapter

• Veterans to Farmers Organization

• Michigan State University - Vets to Ag Program

• Center for Rural Affairs -

Veteran Farmers Project

• Veterans Farm Jacksonville, FL


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• California State University - Veterans Sustainable

Agriculture Program

• Delaware Valley College - Veteran Organic

Farming Program

• University of Nebraska and Nebraska College of

Technical Agriculture - Combat Boots to

Cowboy Boots

• Veterans Fire Corps

Farmer Veteran Coalition

The largest veteran to farmer organization in the United

States and the only one that has a national footprint is the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). The Davis,

California based non-profit is active in 48 states with two state chapters in Iowa and Maine. Executive Director

Michael O’Gorman describes FVC as a movement. Its mission and activities seek to “mobilize veterans to feed

America through sustainable farming…by developing viable employment and meaningful careers….by way of farm education” (M. O’Gorman, personal communication, Aug. 2014, Farmer Veteran Coalition

2014a). Strengthening rural communities through veteran farming efforts and creating sustainable food systems are the interrelated principles on which FVC operates. Food production is identified by FVC as a viable means for transitioning from military service to civilian life because it offers veterans meaningful work, a variety of employment opportunities (full, part-time or supplemental to disability-related income), as well as psychological and physical benefits.

Creating a new generation of farmers based on skills previously acquired through military training and experience, FVC provides a broad range of programs and resources for veterans interested in agriculture including;

• Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund- funding and

in-kind donations to new and current vet

farmers;

• Job, internship and mentoring opportunities-

employment/mentoring opportunities through its

network of agricultural industry leaders;

• Farmer Veteran events held throughout the

country in collaboration with other organizations-

conferences, workshops, webinars, farm tours,

fundraisers;

• Farmer Veteran Resource Center and Veteran

Careers in Agriculture: A Resource Guide.

Farmer Veteran Coalition has an extensive network of affiliated organizations across the United States including: The Ecological Farming Association, Farm

Aid, USDA Farm Service Agency, Farm School for

Women, Michigan State University Organic Farmer

Training Program, and National Sustainable Agriculture

Information Service. State chapters of FVC deliver some of the FVC programs in addition to their own state specific programs.

Therapeutic Elements- The primary therapeutic element of FVC programs is offering a new purpose to veterans according to O’Gorman (M. O’Gorman, personal communication, Aug. 2014). Appealing to veterans because like their military duties which relied on hard work and purpose driven missions, farming provides similar structure and redirection after active military life, as well as vocational career exploration, and work experience in a farm setting. Part-time or full-time employment, entrepreneurial farm business development and/or production of agricultural products offer options to those considering farming. By offering a new purpose to veterans regardless of war injury, veteran to farmer programs fill a vacuum, particularly important for voluntary military members who have been described as possessing idealistic psychological characteristics, different from drafted Vietnam military.

FVC does not deliver a lot of direct therapeutic services at this time, although FVC staff recognize areas veterans can benefit from therapeutic services including increasing confidence, sense of hope, dealing with veteran’s idealism, career opportunities both fulltime and part-time. FVC has partnered with organizations at the national level which have expertise in therapeutic services including Easter Seals and

AgrAbility. Noting the need for services due to overlap of disabilities, O’Gorman identified a new initiative through FVC, AgrAbility and Purdue University that will provide a 24 hr. hotline to veterans. An important program development because it will recognize both psychological non-visible and visible physical wounds, the hotline will also address the sense of isolation that many veterans (like many farmers) face living in rural communities.

O’Gorman stated that therapeutic outcomes from veteran to farmer programs have to date been anecdotal not clinical studies. FVC staff have observed mental and physical improvements including the ability to move forward with lives, improved decision-making skills, improved mental health and social skills. Many


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 34 of these are related to defining a sense of purpose once transitioned into civilian life. Metrics for several test cases where FVC provided funding to veterans for farm activity have been documented, but it is selfreports by veterans that currently provide the majority of information about therapeutic outcomes from the programs. With an increase from 9 veterans in their first year of operation to 200 calls monthly to FVC in 2014,

O’Gorman feels there is a place in agriculture that can benefit both veteran and country. Farming can provide jobs, education, land, financial support and healing elements to veterans in a unique package. O’Gorman describes FVC as a vision intended to ignite imagination across the country using farms and farm activity to transition military personnel into civilian life.

Farmer Veteran Coalition of Maine is a FVC state chapter. Its mandate is the mobilization of “ Maine veterans into Maine’s food landscape as farmers and food leaders” (Farmer Veteran Coalition, 2014c). Its underlying philosophy is that food production can provide employment, opportunities, physical and psychological benefits for veterans. With a state-specific focus, the chapter works with Maine veterans using the state’s agricultural sector and its resources, networks and state-level funding. FVC of Maine lists its programs as advocacy, technical assistance, mentorship, and transition assistance onto land (matching retiring farmers with new farms to continue land use for agriculture).

FVC of Maine also offers two of the national FVC programs; the Fellowship Fund—the Maine chapter vets applications, and Homegrown by Heroes program, an initiative that labels and promotes locally grown food.

Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa (FVCIA), also a state chapter of FVC was formed in 2012 to “empower

Iowa veterans to thrive in Iowa agriculture” (Farmer

Veteran Coalition, 2014c). It offers resources specific to

Iowa including the Iowa Chapter’s Resource Guide, Find

a Farmer Directory, the Rural America Hiring Heroes program, these in addition to two of the national FVC programs--Fellowship Grants, and the Farm Equipment and Donation (FEED) program.

Therapeutic Elements—Ed Cox, Executive Director of FVCIA stated that their organization “recognizes the therapeutic value that farming can bring to veterans with a range of disabilities. We hear veterans comment on the sense of purpose and the calming effects that growing things and caring for livestock bring to their lives. While we love to hear how farming brings not only a career

Veterans to Farmers greenhouse in Denver. Photo Credit: Veterans to

Farmers Organization of Aero Farms Co_Evan and Esther but also an improved quality of life to veterans, we don’t provide therapy as an organization. We focus on the business side of farming and helping ensure the veterans are successful farmers and ranchers. We are happy to make referrals to organizations that can provide further assistance regarding therapy” (personal communication,

Aug. 2014).

Veterans to Farmers Organization

Breaking new ground in both agriculture and veteran services, Denver-based Veterans to Farmers (VTF) nonprofit organization utilizes hydroponic, aeroponic and vertical gardening methods referred to as Controlled

Environment Agriculture (Veterans to Farmers

Organization 2013). VTF’s mission is dual-fold; to provide meaningful work, training and entrepreneurial opportunities for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans while also strengthening food security by increasing the number of family farms which can supply locally grown food.


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Since 2012, the VTF program has graduated 10 from its 12 week on-thejob training (B. Adams, personal communication, Sept. 2013). VTF has developed partnerships with Denver-based companies including

Circle Fresh Farms, and Local Tower Farms which work with two or three veterans at a time to provide on-thejob training in the hydroponic production of food crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce. United States

Marine Corps Veteran Buck Adams who founded VTF and Circle Fresh Farms indicates it has 300 on a wait list interested in taking the VTF training (B. Adams, personal communication, Sept. 2013).

Currently undertaking a capital campaign to raise funds for a National Training Center Greenhouse in Denver,

VTF presents the initiative as a 10,000 sq. foot facility that will provide the physical location for indoor food production, veteran training facility and a community supported agriculture (CSA) where its food can be sold directly to consumers. The VTF social enterprise model provides agricultural training and employment for veterans and the organization offers opportunities for franchise ownership of greenhouses. VTF feels its program provides benefits to multiple stakeholders including; assimilation into society by veterans, the strengthening of local farms which contribute to the local economy and food supply, increased local production of organic vegetables and use of sustainable agricultural practices which reduce the ecological impact.

Michigan State University Vets to

Ag Program

Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural

Technology coordinates and delivers the Vets to Ag

Program. Unique because of its focus on homeless veterans (while also including other veterans) it provides a comprehensive program that includes room and board, support and transitional services, transportation assistance, classroom, and hands-on training.

Forty veterans in three course cohorts have completed the Vets to Ag program since its inception in 2009

(T. Smith, personal communication, Feb. 2014). The majority of participants from the class of 2013 have found jobs, either in the course specialization of meat cutting and meat processing, or in other sectors. The three pilot courses are now being institutionalized as part of the university’s non-credit coursework according to program coordinator Tom Smith (personal communication, Feb. 2014). Advanced planning for two more courses is underway. These include a Detroit based food production, rescue and redistribution course with a local organization as partner and a course with the

Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources with training and jobs in habitat restoration and park maintenance within the park system.

The Vets to Ag program has been developed based on job demand in the agricultural sector including post production agriculture. The wide range of organizations involved with the program has contributed to its ability to coordinate labor supply with job demand, support services and education. Employers have been involved in all phases of the program from planning, to selection of participants and job training. Local organizations have provided strong support; Michigan’s Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth’s workforce development effort, local Michigan Works!, and shelters that serve homeless veterans.

Therapeutic Elements- The Michigan State University

Vets to Ag Program has integrated therapeutic services into its program recognizing that its target audience of homeless veterans face multiple challenges—social, economic, housing, and vocational (T. Smith, personal communication, Feb. 2014). Using a holistic strategy to address the multi-faceted issues faced by homeless veterans, Michigan State University has partnered with agencies that can provide health and social services.

The Vet to Ag program coordinates these, educational and residential components. The underlying premise of the program-- making a veteran employable, with updated vocational skills in the agricultural sector which has demand for employees-- will begin to address other social, health and well-being deficits. As noted above, the employment rate of veterans completing the courses is high, this being the basic metric used to determine the success of the program and individual participants.

Information on graduating participant’s status regarding homelessness and other health improvements was not available.

Center for Rural Affairs Veteran

Farmers Project

The mission of the Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA), a 501c3 non-profit, is to strengthen rural communities and contribute to federal decisions relating to social and economic justice, farming and environmental stewardship (Center for Rural Affairs 2013). It has identified challenges facing rural communities-- the aging population of farmers and the small numbers of


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 36 new farmers getting started. CFRA recognizes veterans as a potential labor pool for the current and future direction of rural communities and states on its website:

“In the last 10 years, almost a million of our military’s servicemen and servicewomen have come from rural communities. As these veterans return home, they bring with them an opportunity to employ their passion, discipline, and sense of service to revitalize America’s small farms and rural communities.” (Center for Rural

Affairs 2013).

Center for Rural Affairs initiated the Veteran Farmers

Project as a pilot in 2009. Since then CFRA has offered an on-line webinar, help line, and individual consultations to veterans interested in farming. With a focus on promoting not just jobs but agricultural business entrepreneurship, CFRA is currently developing a program for veterans interested in farming with Fort Leonard Wood military post in Missouri, and in conjunction with Lincoln University, held a farm enterprise workshop in August 2014 for 24 veterans and family members (W. Fraas, personal communication,

Aug. 2014). This program and upcoming workshops and farm tours (www.sustainableozarks.org/) are part of the military post’s new sustainability plan (W. Fraas, personal communication, Feb. 2014). CFRA’s organizational model has been to partner with other organizations to plan, deliver and collaborate on initiatives and these have included; USDA Risk Management Agency,

USDA Farm Service Agency, Farmer Veteran Coalition,

Farmers Unions and AgrAbility in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri.

Therapeutic Elements- From its initial pilot project and its current partnership and activities with Fort Leonard

Wood, Wyatt Fraas identifies anecdotal therapeutic outcomes self-reported by participating veterans.

“Emotional trauma and brain injury are ameliorated by work with plants, soil, and animals. Farming, and work with livestock in particular, is calming. Interactions with people are often stressful, [for transitioning veterans] while livestock must be handled in a calm and controlled manner. Veterans transitioning into farming identify multiple elements that address their health and wellbeing issues. Some farm work is repetitive but requires concentration. Some therapy for physical injury can be supplemented by the range of motions required for diverse farm activities. Livestock are dependent on their farmers for their food, water and wellbeing, which creates an insistent priority for attention and activities, and building an interdependent bond reminiscent of the bonds between soldiers who depend on each other for survival. Farm work often creates a schedule that requires discipline and confers a purpose to each day, while serving to diminish feelings of disorganization.

Farm production often entails intensive learning of new techniques for plant and animal production, which provides mental stimulation and amplifies curiosity. Gaining this knowledge often requires meeting and engaging other farmers, which creates additional interpersonal bonds and builds the capacity to trust and interact with others” (W. Fraas, personal communication, Aug. 2014).

Veterans have related to the Center for Rural Affairs,

“that they have overcome or experienced reduced symptoms of PTSD due to the demands of caring for livestock and plants, and for running a business that requires intermittent interaction with other people. Farm work offers respite from interpersonal or institutional stressors, since it is usually an isolated, individual, limited-stimulation activity” (W. Fraas, personal communication, Aug. 2014). Recognizing the need for services and the expertise required for formalized therapeutic assessment and treatment, Wyatt comments “we offer training and advising for farm practices and business development, as well as referral to support services… We’re working with AgrAbility and other programs to learn what behaviors to monitor and how to do so… We are open to guidance from those with more experience and knowledge, particularly for how to build programs that address therapy alongside career development for veterans as farmers. (W. Fraas, personal communication, Aug. 2014).

The future of veteran to farmer activity, specifically programs that incorporate therapeutic elements—

“CFRA’s work in the Fort Leonard Wood area in

Missouri may include gardening activities for the

Wounded Warrior program and other soldiers undergoing physical and mental therapy. This might then be transferable to other locations or to outpatient therapy. We might also be able to provide higher level farm business assistance to AgrAbility clients. Since a majority of veteran program participants have so far self-identified as ‘disabled’, continued and increasing partnership with disability services will be an important part of any work we do with veteran-farmers” (W. Fraas, personal communication, Aug. 2014).


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Veterans Farm Jacksonville Florida

Begun as a small farm operation by one veteran in 2009, the intent was to reintegrate disabled combat veterans into society, assisting them to start or work at farms. The

Veterans Farm has now evolved into an organization that works collaboratively with the University of Florida

Agriculture Department, Farmer Veteran Coalition, and

Work Vessels for Veterans (Veterans Farm 2013, 2014a).

U.S. President Barack Obama recognized Veterans

Farm and its founder Army veteran Adam Burke as an innovative program, bestowing the 2012 Presidential

Citizens Medal (Veterans Farm 2014b). Using agroentrepreneurship and ecological horticulture to grow food crops, Veterans Farm uses a variety of techniques to train and transition veterans. Not part of the 2009 original model, but included in the farm’s current programming, six month fellowships through The

Mission Continues organization, horticultural therapy, team work, education, socialization opportunities in the community, and collaboration with the Veterans

Affairs (WTP) work therapy program provide a range of services to participating veterans (S. Ellsberry, personal communication, Sept. 2013).

Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training

Program at California State University

The Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) program was founded by Marine Sgt. Colin Archipley and his wife Karen (USDA 2014a). The program is now a partnership between the Archipley’s organic farm--Archi’s Acres and California State University San

Marcos Extended Learning. The Veterans Sustainable

Agriculture Training Program was developed for selfemployment or employment at existing farms. The sixweek certificate program curriculum covers soil biology, composting, greenhouse management, hydroponics, food handler manager’s license and environmental control. Focuses on current sustainable agriculture practices for small-scale organic farming, the 270 hour course costs $4,500 which includes 30 hours of job readiness training, contact with industry leaders, and assistance connecting with jobs in agriculture (California

State University 2013). VSAT graduates are offered franchise opportunities for Archi’s Acres, and this entrepreneurial/ownership opportunity is described as

“possibly the largest for-profit veteran driven initiative in the country” (Archi’s Acres n.d.).

Veteran Organic Farming Program at

Delaware Valley College

A 3- semester 36- credit certificate program was initiated in 2013 by Delaware Valley College specifically for veterans interested in farming. Although the program is called Veteran Organic Farming Program, enrollment has since been opened to non-veterans. The organic farming focus incorporates classroom courses in horticulture, soil biology, animal science, entomology and business development. Hands-on learning occurs at Rodale Institute in collaboration with the college.

The program offers flexible start dates and part-time schedules. Delaware Valley College is designated as a

Yellow Ribbon School—“veterans who are eligible for

Post 9/11 GI Bill may have 100% of their tuition paid by their GI Bill in addition to receiving funds for housing and books”(Delaware Valley College 2014a). Other services for veterans include the Janet Manion Military and Veterans Center at the college’s main campus.

Built as a social gathering place for student-veterans and military personnel it houses staff of Military and

Veterans Affairs making services from these departments readily available on-campus (Delaware Valley College

2014b).

Therapeutic Elements- Media Relations and

Publications Coordinator AnnMarie Ely and Program

Coordinator Dennis Riling stated that there are no formal therapeutic elements in the Veterans Organic

Farming program but that the non-threatening environment (classroom and Rodale farm site), and being in nature away from the city have provided anecdotal health improvements for participating veterans (Ely and Riling, personal communication,

Aug. 2014). The course’s organic focus promotes a healthy lifestyle and is the underlying foundation for the program. The existence of a veteran specific social center, the Manion Center and its veteran specific support services which include funding and counseling services, referrals to other campus services as needed and requested by veterans, and Yellow Ribbon school status which provides access to funding for tuition and housing through the GI Bill suggest that college staff have recognized the veteran population as having specific challenges or barriers to participating in education programs in the college setting.

College staff Ely and Riling did not use the term

therapeutic benefits, but anecdotal observations by program staff and self-reports from participating veterans attribute changes in behavior and attitudes to the Veterans Organic Agriculture program (Ely and

Riling, personal communication, Aug. 2014). These


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 38 include decreased PTSD symptoms and hyper-vigilance behavior, redirection of career, improved mental attitudes, sense of purpose, improved relationships with students and faculty and acquisition of vocational skills and education (Riling, personal communication, Aug.

2014). Ely and Riling reiterated that the primary focus of the Veteran Organic Farming Program at Delaware

Valley College is academic, not therapeutic. They did not identify the development of vocational skills as therapeutic –contributing to healing, and they indicated that their awareness of research correlating contact with nature to health benefits was limited. To date 10 veterans have participated in the program.

Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Office of Advocacy and Outreach lists the Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots program on its website as one of its collaborative initiatives (USDA 2014b). The program is delivered by the University of Nebraska and the

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (USDA

2014b). Developed to “counsel members of the military,

(not restricted to veterans) advising them on ways to achieve full ownership of agricultural enterprises across

Nebraska and the nation,” the focus is on creating successful business succession plans that match existing farm owners with interested emerging veterans to farmers (University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2013). The program utilizes existing government funding programs from federal agencies—the Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Defense, Veterans Administration and Small Business

Administration as well as state and local agencies.

The direct delivery of agriculture education courses is provided by the Nebraska College of Technical

Agriculture which maintains contact with participants.

Veterans Fire Corps

As a nature- based program specifically directed to

Post 9/11 veterans, the Veterans Fire Corps has been included in this review. It is a collaborative program between USDA’s Forest Service, the United States

Department of Interior and three Conservation Corps --

Southwest Conservation Corps, California Conservation

Corps and Student Conservation Corps. (Veterans

Fire Corps n.d.). The curriculum focuses on retraining and refocusing skills developed during military duty

(specifically leadership skills) to protect public lands from threat of wildfire. It is both a training program and a path to employment as a wildfire fighter. Veterans Fire

Corps pays a stipend during training.

Therapeutic Elements-- Susanne Levitsky, Public

Information Officer, California Conservation Corps stated that their focus is on training and education in fire -fighting, not therapeutic outcomes although the organization is familiar with nature deficit disorder

(personal communication, Aug. 2014). California

Conservation Corps do not use the term therapeutic, are not aware of health deficits or need for therapeutic services veterans might have, and due to privacy legislation do not have access to veteran’s health information from which to identify the population’s health challenges. Veterans are expected to pass a physical, perform physically demanding tasks and possess job-ready skills as they enter the program.

Levitsky stated that there are many intangibles that are wonderful outcomes from participating in Veterans

Fire Corp. While these are hard to quantify she stated,

Veterans Fire Corp. alumni self-reports have included:

“it was the best year of their life, lessons learned carried them through the rest of their lives, and learning to work with a team of diverse people was important” (Levitsky, personal communication, Aug. 2014).

INFORMATION-BASED PROGRAMS

Information-based programs, which provide financial, economic, employment and legislative information specific to veterans interested in transitioning into farming post military duty, is a second category of programs within the veteran to farmer paradigm.

Unlike the agriculture education programs for veterans, therapeutic elements did not appear to be present. The following list identifies organizations that offer veteran to farmer information-based programs. Appendix A provides more detailed information:

• Beginning Farmers

• AgWarrior/AgCareers

• United States Dept. of Veterans Affairs-Yellow

Ribbon Program

• The Farm Credit System-multiple programs

• The Farm Credit System-Homegrown By

Heroes Program

• United States Small Business Administration-

Patriot Express

• 2014 National Farm Bill

• Proposed Legislation - Illinois’ Soldiers to

Farmers Program Act, Illinois 2013

And

• United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA)


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Outreach to Veterans;

o USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach

o USDA Veteran, Reservists and Military

Families Task Force

o USDA Microloans for Beginning and

Veteran Farmers

o USDA’s National Institute of Food and

Agriculture-Beginning Farmer and Rancher

Development Program

o USDA AgrAbililty-National Project

FURTHER DISCUSSION

Prevalence of Programs

Since 2007 when the first Post 9/11 veteran to farmer program emerged, the number of veteran to farmer programs has steadily grown from the initial few to the

25 included in this report. Geographical location does not appear to be the determining factor for a program’s existence; the programs are found throughout the U.S.

A range of organizations deliver the programs including educational institutions, government, non-government agencies as well as private sector companies. The trend suggests that these organizations place value on veteran to farmer programs.

The numbers who have participated in the veteran to farmer programs is still fairly small—most of the veteran to farmer education programs have worked with less than 30 veterans to date. Interest in farming and veteran to farming programs seems to be on the upswing as indicated by the number of inquiries from veterans as reported by Farmers Veteran Coalition, Center for

Rural Affairs and Veterans to Farmers Organization

(O’Gorman, personal communication Aug. 2014, Fraas

Aug. 2014 and Adams, Sept. 2013). The passage of the

National Farm Bill in Feb. 2014, and its formalization of the veteran to farmer category is a further indication that the veteran to farmer movement is becoming institutionalized within the agricultural sector.

The Therapeutic Component of Veteran to

Farmer Programs

Though formal therapeutic frameworks and methodologies were not used in veteran to farmer programs, interviews with program staff revealed anecdotal observations and veteran self-reports that substantiated participation in veteran to farmer programs did provide health improvements and healing elements. Because the veteran to farming programs were initiated as first and foremost vocational redirection, the health improvements, both mental and physical, were perceived as by-products of the programming.

Several of the founding organizers commented on their intuitive feeling that working in nature—farming-- would provide positive health outcomes, this being part of their philosophy in setting up the programs. Further investigation through clinical studies may substantiate the type and degree of therapeutic outcomes that veteran to farmer programming provides. Including therapeutic processes of assessment, treatment plans and charted outcomes addressing veteran’s health deficits may provide greater health improvements than current veteran to farmer programming.

Summary

Health challenges facing transitioning veterans are complex and often involve multiple health domains. The

VA, as the largest integrated health care system in the country currently delivers health services to a staggering number of military personnel, and faces multiple challenges including a cultural shift to a more patient centered focus, a backlog of more than 420,000 benefit claims and crises in services and changing technology (B.

Kowitt, 2014). Alternative programming for the delivery of health services may ease some of the burden while providing newer, effective health services veterans and their families are requesting.

The emergence of veteran to farmer programs reflects a multi- sector response to not only health and human services, but also agriculture, rehabilitation and mental health needs in the United States. The farming programs, as one type of nature-based programming, provide a mix of services that span several health domains; physical, mental, emotional, and social. At the same time the programming provides opportunities for gainful employment for transitioning veterans.

Often a difficult phase with many challenges, veterans have self-reported veteran to farmer programming has addressed their PTSD symptoms as well as their search for meaningful work post military service (Farmer

Veteran Coalition 2014b). While empirical research is required to validate health benefits for veterans, the passage of U.S. federal legislation—the 2014

Farm Bill-- recognizes veterans to farmers as a newly defined population eligible for health and financial benefits within the agricultural sector. Identifying veteran to farmer programs at this formative stage, and documenting the development of the programming should contribute to further growth, possibly greater reliance on therapeutic methodologies and larger


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE numbers of veterans participating in this nature-based trend. Considered innovative because veteran to farmer programming spans health, employment, agriculture and veteran affairs paradigms, nature-based farming programming may offer applications to other special populations which, like transitioning veterans, face cross sector challenges to health and well-being.

40


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APPENDIX: A

Information-Based Program Descriptions

The following information-based programs provide support to veterans interested in transitioning into farming.

Beginning Farmers This non-profit on-line organization is a repository of information and resources for beginning farmers including, but is not limited to veterans (Beginning Farmers 2014b). A designated webpage specific to veterans to farmers, as a subset of beginning farmers is available. The organization offers research, news releases on farm policies, job postings and forums for discussion.

AgCareers- AgWarrior is an international internet- based human resource company. It matches job seekers with employers in the agricultural sector. The AgWarrior program, a specific category of AgCareers seeks to “assist military men and women in the search of careers within the agriculture and food industries (AgCareers n.d.). Services from

AgCareer and AgWarrior include a job board with 4,000 monthly job postings, compensation benchmark reviews, training, consulting and the Agribusiness HT Review Report. As of Feb. 2014 AgWarrior was being transferred to

AgCareers from International Agri-Center, a non-profit corporation. It launched AgWarrior in 2012 as part of its work promoting California’s agriculture industry and World Ag Expo (International Agri-Center 2014, E. Osmundson, personal communication Feb. 2014).

United States Dept. of Veterans Affairs-Yellow Ribbon Program The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides funding for veteran’s tuition through the Yellow Ribbon Program (U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs 2014a). Of note are participation and eligibility stipulations; colleges and universities that elect to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program can make additional funds available to veterans without additional charges to the individual’s GI Bill entitlement (U.S. Dept of

Veterans Affairs 2014a). A related 2014 program from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, called the GI Bill ® Comparison

Tool allows veterans to calculate Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits while comparing educational institutions and their programs

(U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs 2014b).

The Farm Credit System is a nation-wide network of borrower-owned lending institutions with a 97 year history of supporting veterans including those from Post 9/11 military service (Farm Credit 2014a). Established by Congress in

1916 as a reliable source of credit for American agriculture, the Farm Credit System provides more than $191 billion in loans and leases to qualified borrowers, as well as providing insurance and other services at competitive rates to its primarily rural customers. It identifies that 16% of the nation’s population lives in rural areas and almost 40% of those who serve in the military come from rural communities (Farm Credit 2014a). The Farm Credit System recognizes its large military consumer base and states on its website that it works to “mobilize returning veterans to start careers in food and farming through education, employment resources and small grants (Farm Credit 2013). The Farm Credit

System has undertaken several collaborative activities with the Farmer Veteran Coalition including a recently written

Veteran Careers in Agriculture: A Resource Guide, the Homegrown by Heroes Program (labeling promotion), Veteran

Day celebrations and conferences like the Women Veterans Conference in Kentucky in 2013 (Farm Credit 2013).

The Farm Credit System-Homegrown By Heroes Program was initiated and financially supported for

$250,000 over two years by the four Farm Credit System banks. The Homegrown By Heroes program is delivered in collaboration with the Farmers Veteran Coalition (Farm Credit 2014b). In support of veterans to farmers and the sale of their farm products, the program is a consumer-facing product labeling effort that enables veterans to identify their products so consumers are able to choose to support veterans/farmers with their purchases.

United States Small Business Administration-Patriot Express Program offers loans through The Patriot Express

Program. It is designed for small businesses that are 51 percent or more owned or controlled by veterans or members of the military community (U.S. Small Business Administration 2014). Small scale farms are included in their small business category.

2014 National Farm Bill referring to a bundle of federal legislation reviewed and passed by Congress every five years, was recently updated in Feb. 2014 (U.S. Senate Committee 2014). Veteran farmers, referring to veterans who are moving into agriculture-- not those farmers who have many years experience, were recognized as a distinct group


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45 JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I under the new legislation (Beginning Farmer 2014c). The 2014 Farm Act provides new eligibility for veteran farmers as a distinct group. Additionally, the 2014 legislation offers specific programs and services to veteran farmers. Veteran farmers are grouped together with beginning farmers for some programs. Many of the new farmer initiative ideas in the

2014 Farm Bill were derived from previously proposed Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act.

The new eligibility for veteran farmers, (this term will be used for description of the Farm Bill to be consistent with the legislation) provides greater access to funding through several programs including; the Conservation Stewardship

Program, the Conservation Reserve Program-Transition Incentives Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives

Program (EQIP) and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) (Beginning Farmer 2014c).

This access to funding programs impacts veteran farmers in a variety of ways; increased EQIP advance payments of

50% to cover the cost of projects, important for farm start-ups; $33 million of incentives for retiring landowners to sell or rent to beginning farmers, including veterans; and increased funding to $100 million over 5 years for the BFRDP

(Beginning Farmer 2014c).

Improved access to credit for veteran farmers under the 2014 Farm Bill provides additional financial support. Included under this category are improved access to; the Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating loans and its increased flexibility in determining farm management experience as a pre-requisite for direct farm ownership loans; the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) microloans program, made permanent under the new legislation and funded through FSA’s existing Direct Operating Loan program which provides veteran farmers access to (maximum) $50,000 microloans including a streamlined application process intended for beginning and veteran farmers (these microloans are meant to cover smaller purchases and have exemptions from typical term limits on direct operating loans); the

Down Payment Loan Program with its increase in the value of farmland that can be purchased and which includes a priority focus on beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers (Beginning Farmer 2014c). Beginning farmers, including veteran farmers, are eligible for discounts in federal crop insurance for the first five years of farming. The Value-Added

Producer Grant program gives priority status to beginning farmers for proposals submitted for grants based on serving small and medium-sized farms.

Proposed Legislation - Illinois’ Soldiers to Farmers Program Act, Illinois 2013 On the state level, legislative efforts to recognize and support veterans to farmers has been on-going for several years. Illinois State Bill HB3344

Soldiers to Farmers Program Act was introduced in their state assembly in Feb. 2013. Seeking to provide $10,000 stipends for purchase of land or farming equipment for Illinois veterans interested in farming or agriculture as a career, the bill has not been passed into law as of Nov. 2013 (Illinois General Assembly 2013).

United States Department of Agriculture Outreach to Veterans

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) delivers a broad range of programs and services through 17

USDA agencies and 17 USDA offices (USDA 2014c) fulfilling its mission of “providing leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management” (USDA, 2014d). Its programs and services are extensive, and ever evolving. With the recent passage of the 2014 Farm Bill and with it the recognition of veteran to farmers as a specific group eligible for programs and services, it can be expected that these will evolve in the next period of time. As of Feb, 2014 the following programs and services are being delivered through the USDA and are directly targeted to veterans transitioning into farming:

USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach The USDA coordinates programs and outreach for underserved groups of ranchers and farmers through its Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO). Created by the 2008 national Farm Bill, part of OAO’s mandate is to strengthen services to returning veterans and reservists. The Information for Veterans webpage from the USDA OAO website states that the OAO “office [is] working with several states and organizations to create programs to help veterans transition to farming, ranching, and other agricultural jobs. The new Farm Bill expands the 2501 Program (Outreach Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive

Grants Program, known as the “2501 program) to include staffing for outreach and technical assistance to veterans (K.

Nicholas, personal communication March 6, 2014). In recognizing the value of introducing (or reintroducing) veterans


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE 46 to agricultural jobs, USDA encourages their participation in rural community and economic development” (USDA

2014b).

USDA Veteran, Reservists and Military Families Task Force In 2012 President Obama set a government-wide priority directing USDA and other federal government agencies to “work to make sure veterans in rural areas receive the medical care, training and employment support they deserve” (White House 2012). In 2012 USDA created the

Veterans, Reservists and Military Families Task Force mandated to create models to promote employment, job training and community economic development for this population (USDA Office of Communication 2012). The USDA hosted a symposium in 2012 for military veterans and their families in West Virginia providing information on agriculture credit. Limited information is available on other activity the USDA Veteran, Reservist and Military Families Task Force has undertaken.

USDA Microloans for Beginning and Veteran Farmers In 2013 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new microloans for veterans (and small farmers and disadvantaged producers) designed to help small and family operations

(USDA 2013b). As of Feb 2014 and the new Farm Bill, the regulations for microloans and other financial programs supporting veterans have been expanded. (Refer to 2014 Farm Act outlined previously).

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture-Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is delivered by USDA’s National Institute of

Food and Agriculture (NIFS) in collaboration with community, educational and other organizations. The $75 million program was created in 2008 under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act with the mandate of developing and delivering education, training, and outreach programs for the next generation of farmers (USDA National Institute of

Food and Agriculture 2013). Veteran specific services for military veterans and their families have included an on-farm skills workshop delivered collaboratively with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and the National Center for Appropriate

Technology. University of Arkansas has utilized BFRDP funding to provide internships, on-line courses and workshops for veterans to farmers (USDA 2012).

USDA- AgrAbility Program Though not restricted to Post 9/11 veterans, the USDA funded AgrAbility Program is comprised of several components that directly support veterans to farmers (AgrAbility n.d.a). Through its National

Project and State/Regional Projects (currently active in 22 states), collaborations with non-profit disability organizations and land grant universities deliver services to farmers and ranchers with physical limitations. These include financial assistance for equipment modification and training to hire disabled veterans as farmers or ranchers with the intent of helping “wounded warriors” establish agricultural careers. The National AgrAbility Project’s (2008-2012) Plan of Work included Objective 3.3 which sought to provide “special outreach to veterans” (AgrAbility n.d.b). Under the grant,

Year 1-4 activities included distributing AgrAbility-related materials to at least five VA facilities annually; and years 2

& 4 activities included sessions on working with veterans and understanding the Veterans Administration system. The expected outcomes of AgrAbility’s National Project were multi-fold including distribution of AgrAbility materials to a minimum of 20 VA facilities.

State AgrAbility projects have expanded services available to veteran to farmers. In 2012 Indiana AgrAbility delivered a workshop --Veterans and Agriculture: Opportunities for Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Enrichment (Indiana

AgrAbility 2012).


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APPENDIX: B

Interview Questions Re Therapeutic Elements of Veteran to Farmer Programs

Questions for Veteran to Farmer Organizations Aug 2014

RE: Therapeutic benefits of VTF Programs

I would like to talk to you about the following aspects of your program for veterans to farmers. I am writing an article for the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture on veteran to farmer programming and would appreciate any input you could give me. Lesley Fleming, Registered Horticultural Therapist

Defining therapeutic; having or exhibiting healing powers; and/or pertaining to treatment or curing of disease.

1. What are the therapeutic/healing elements of your program?

2. What are the areas veterans need therapeutic services?

3. Do you offer formalized therapeutic interventions (occupational, physical, recreation or horticultural therapy)?

4. What outcomes have you observed re healing—what specific areas of healing (PTSD, aggression, life skills)?

5. Do you measure these—what metrics are you using (anecdotal, self-report, duration in program)?

6. Do you refer to research or standards of practice from therapeutic disciplines?

7. Are you thinking about how to increase therapeutic outcomes from your program?

8. What do you think these might be—next steps?


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2015: VOLUME XXV | ISSUE I JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE

BIOGRAPHY

Lesley L. Fleming, MA, HTR is a horticultural therapy consultant, writer and practitioner in the

United States and Canada. Active in the field for almost 10 years, she has been Editor in Chief of the

American Horticultural Therapy Association’s (AHTA)

News Magazine, AHTA board member, President of

Florida Horticultural Therapy Association, and advisory member of Halifax (N.S.) Common Roots Urban

Farm. She is recipient of several horticultural therapy awards including The American Horticultural Therapy

Association’s Alice Burlingame Humanitarian Award

2008 and their 2013 Publication Award, the Florida

Horticultural Therapy Association’s 2009 Professional

Service Award, and the 2010 University of Florida-

Florida Master Gardener Special Audiences Award for the Falkenburg Jail-Master Gardener Therapeutic

Horticulture Program. Lesley has contributed previously to the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture—Botanic

Gardens: Fertile Soil for the Practice of Horticultural

Therapy (2010) and book reviews in 2012 and 2013.

48


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Veteran to Farmer Programs: An Emerging Nature-Based Program Trend

Veteran to Farmer Programs:Author(s): Lesley L. Fleming

Source: Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture , Vol. 25, No. 1 (2015), pp. 27-48

Published by: American Horticultural Therapy Association

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/24865257

REFERENCES

Linked references are available on JSTOR for this article: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/24865257?seq=1&cid=pdfreference#references_tab_contents

You may need to log in to JSTOR to access the linked references.

Veteran to Farmer Programs:

An Emerging Nature-Based

Programming Trend

Lesley L. Fleming, MA, HTR

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Veteran to Farmer Programs: An Emerging Nature-Based Program Trend

Veteran to Farmer Programs:Author(s): Lesley L. Fleming

Source: Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture , Vol. 25, No. 1 (2015), pp. 27-48

Published by: American Horticultural Therapy Association

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/24865257

REFERENCES

Linked references are available on JSTOR for this article: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/24865257?seq=1&cid=pdfreference#references_tab_contents

You may need to log in to JSTOR to access the linked references.

Veteran to Farmer Programs:

An Emerging Nature-Based

Programming Trend

Lesley L. Fleming, MA, HTR

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