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This info is being shared by Sue Raker, an organic farmer and Veteran in Houghton MI. Vicki Morrone C. S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems Outreach Specialist for Organic Vegetable and Field Crops 303 Natural Resources East Lansing, MI 48824 517-353-3542/517-282-3557 (cell) 517-353-3834 (Fax) www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu<http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/> From: Suzanna Raker [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 12:14 PM To: Morrone, Vicki Subject: Fwd: Veteran - Farmer Coalition: Organic training, mentoring, info, retreats. No Charge! Hello, Vets and those who work with them: A project has been launched with federal and private funding to assist veterans (and their partners) who are interested in farming organically. It is available at no cost and is being set up as a 'long term' program that is tailored to each vet's situation for learning, obtaining training, funding, technical assistance and access to suitable land -to become a fully functional organic farmer, rancher or market gardener. Please read the email shown below, and follow the link to: The person to contact about program materials and specifics is Michael Porter Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Once you've contacted Michael, indicate your interest in organic farming and ask about 'retreats' available to attend and get started. It is all at NO COST to you except for transportation to the site. (Transportation funds may be available also.) If there is enough interest, we are looking at having a training session in Michigan, involving area vets and including field and crop day trips and learning from the best organic experts in the Midwest. But we need you to get busy and contact the organizers. Whether you are interested in dairy, urban, fruit or crop farming, you can benefit and learn from this program. Do it! There's never been a better time to be an organic grower, and prices and opportunities in Michigan are growing. If you need more explanation, call Vicki Morrone at: 517-282-3557 * * * * * * * * * * * Hello, All of You: You've all helped vets a lot, and gone way beyond and above for me and for others. I learned of this series of 'retreats' and this incredible program and have been contacted with specifics. Please share these with any veterans who are interested in receiving training designed to get them into farming -organic farming! (There are also conventional farming opportunities through this program, but I haven't followed those.) The Farmer-Veteran Coalition includes governmental assistance, but these programs were initiated by a group of seed companies, ag' groups (Progressive Farmers of Iowa, Northern Plains Resource Council, Farmers Union, to name a few) and groups of farmers in the plains and prairie states. The program is taking applications from vets (men and women; couples may also attend -both need not be vets). The first 'retreat' is scheduled to be July 14-16, held in Marshalltown, Iowa. (That's located east of Ames, IA) The site will be the community college Marshalltown, which has a very active agricultural curriculum, including a degree in organic farming. The training, housing, food, etc. is all at no cost to vets. However, the transportation is the vet's responsibity. There has been talk of assistance for those without travel funds, so don't despair if someone needs help with travel. Here is the link to the Farmer-Veteran site. If you Google the title, there are other informative blogs, links, etc. http://www.farmvetco.org/category/veterans/ The person to contact about program materials and specifics is Michael Porter Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> This sounds like a tremendous opportunity to not only learn, but receive assistance navigating the process of obtaining farmland, receive mentoring from "real, live farmers" and actually tour farms other vets operate. The plan, at this point, is for there to be other 'retreats' in California, Arkansas, Pennsylvania..and more. (I have written to Vicki Morrone, MSU, and asked her if possibilities could be explored for such a retreat in Michigan.) I can tell you from first hand experience that there is no more sought after dream of men and women leaving the military than to own and operate a farm, ranch or market garden. And there is no more complicated and baffling path to pursue! Soil and crops are just the beginning. This program seeks to effectively help vets achieve that dream and succeed. Give me a call (906.337.4333<tel:%28906.337.4333>) if you'd like ot hear more of what I learned or simply email the coalition. Many thanks, sue If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html