The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa has a full agenda for 2014. We’re hosting four educational workshops across Iowa, collaborating on two regional events in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and participating in a Midwest Farmer Veteran Conference at Drake University in July.
These events provide opportunities for military veterans to come together, network, and learn about farming.
Four workshops will be held across the State of Iowa in February and March. These events will have educational presentations and discussions and plenty of time for networking with other veterans in agriculture.
The workshops are free but space is limited. Lunch is included with all of the workshops.
The events will be held:
- Ottumwa, IA – February 20, 12:30 – 5:00 at Indian Hills Community College
- Waterloo, IA – February 22, 8:30 – 1:00 at Hawkeye Community College
- Red Oak, IA – March 13, 12:30 – 5:00 at Southwestern Community College
- Storm Lake, IA – March 15, 8:30 – 1:00 at Buena Vista University
Specific topics covered will include record keeping and business planning, military to ag career transitions, and fully utilizing government programs for whole farm planning.
These four Iowa events are made possible with the financial support of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
Two Regional Farmer Veteran Workshops in MN & WI
FVC IA is working with FVC and the Drake University Agricultural Law Center to put on workshops in Minnesota and Wisconsin as well. These events will include farm tours as well as traditional educational presentations.
These events are free and open to all veterans and service members interested in agriculture. Lunch will be provided.
Stay tuned for information about registration, or call Ed Cox at 515-661-8459 or email.
Minnesota Farmer Veteran Workshop
The Organic Field School at Gardens of Eagen is located near Northfield, MN – just south of Minneapolis. This event will feature a tour of Gardens of Eagen and a roundtable discussion with beginning farmers at the on-site incubator farm.
The event will also include presentations on:
- Food Safety & Handling
- Dealing with Isolation, Health, & Well-Being
- Financial Planning for Beginning Farmers
Wisconsin Farmer Veteran Workshop
This event will be held at Growing Power Farm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Participating farmer veterans will get to tour the farm learning about its impressive soil building system, aquaponics, and extended growing season infrastructure.
The event will include educational presentations on:
- Strategic Farm Planning
- Production & Income Diversification
- Food Safety & Handling
- Land Access Through Creative Leases & Contracts
- Government Programs for Whole Farm Planning
The Minnesota and Wisconsin events are made possible with the support of USDA Risk Management Agency.
The Midwest Regional Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference
The Midwest Farmer Veteran Conference is a two-day event for veterans and service members interested in farming and ag careers. Family of veterans are invited as well. The event will take place on July 25-26 at the Drake University Law School’s Cartwright Hall in Des Moines, Iowa.
This conference is another collaboration between FVC, FVC IA, and the Drake Agricultural Law Center. The conference will draw veterans and military service members from across the Midwest and will feature a tour of the “Geisler Farm” and “Growing Family Fun,” a diversified operation producing commodity grains and specialty crops as well as providing agri-tourism.
Educational workshops will include the following topics:
- Transitioning from Military to Agricultural Life and Careers
- Food Safety & Handling
- Using USDA and Other Government Programs to Achieve Your Farm Vision
- Financial Planning & Benchmarking
- Liability & Insurance for On-Farm Visitors
- Alternative Risk Management Tools
- Programs to Modify Farm Buildings & Equipment to Deal With Disabilities
- Farm Business & Estate Succession Planning
- Season Extension With Hoop Houses & Raised Beds
- Homegrown By Heroes Labels & Other FVC Programs
As always there will be plenty of time for socializing and networking with other farmer veterans as well as ag and veteran service providers.
More details and registration will be available soon. In the meantime, contact Ed Cox by email or call 515-661-8459 with any questions.
This event is made possible with financial support from USDA Risk Management Agency.