January 2019 - 9

VETERANS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
and Ranchers Program (also called the
2501 Program) " ensure veterans and
underserved farmers and ranchers are
well positioned to start their careers in
agriculture and continue to give back to
the American people, " Perdue said in a
statement announcing the grant.
At VSU, nearly 60 farm veterans
are on their way toward futures in
agriculture through a program that
emphasizes training, farm planning.
" They're coming in at all different
levels, " said William A. Crutchfield,
director of the Small Farm Outreach
Program. Some have grown up on
family farms and are hoping to buy
into the family business, a few are
interested in going back to college for
an agricultural degree while others have
even more to learn.
" I've got one gentleman, he's never
farmed before, he's got three acres of
land, " Edwards said. The veteran has got
a farm number and has had soil samples
taken, but still has to set up where he
will sell his crop.
Edwards said he's trying to talk the
man into planting a smaller section the
first year - just a few beds, maybe half
an acre.
" Don't do it without all the things at
once, " Edwards said. " You may lose a crop. "
Occasionally, a new grower needs
to be talked out of purchasing a farm
that's not worth the price or doesn't
fit in with the rest of the grower's
business plan. That's one reason VSU's
program includes a Whole Farm
Planning Workshop, so prospective
growers can plan every detail of their
farm operation.
" It's still business and you should
still look at it from a realistic, holistic
approach, " said Small Farm Outreach
Agent Susan Cheek. " I think a lot of
these farmers forget they need to feed
themselves as well. "
Later on in the process, they are
paired with a small farm outreach agent
like Cheek as well as a farmer mentor
and receive practical, hands-on field
training. Group workshops later in the
project include a variety of topics such
as finance and business management,
stress management, beekeeping, taxes
and QuickBooks.
" How to get funding is a big
question, " Cheek said. " We can't give
them money, but we can give them
resources. "
Veterans and socially disadvantaged
growers can qualify for low-interest
microloans from the USDA up to
$50,000, but veterans often need
help completing the lengthy loan
application. There is also the possibility
of an active grower qualifying for a
demonstration project, where they
would be given materials or equipment,
such as an irrigation system, and host
a demonstration for less-experienced
growers - in such a case, the grower can
keep the materials and the profits from
the growing season.
The planning, training and
mentoring help the growers prepare
VGN | JANUARY 2019 | 9
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for their new life.
Cheek, who served in the Army
Reserve, said in her own experience,
finishing one's military service
brings a desire for an outlet or new
enterprise. " You need to make life
normal again, " she said.
That drive to quickly make life
normal again is balanced with the
fact that veterans fully understand
the benefit of planning out any
successful operation.
" Most veterans, they know how to
accomplish a mission, " Edwards said.
" They have plans. "
Editor's note: This is the third and
final installment in a series of stories
about veterans in specialty crop
agriculture. VGN
From the left are Small Farms Outreach Agent Susan Cheek, retired Army Lt. Col. Victoria
Revilla and Barbara Booker.
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January 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2019