Farmer Veteran Coalition

In tribute to our Vietnam War veterans... Today we honor these veterans as the last combat troops who left Vietnam in 1973. Over 58,000 troops lost their lives and thousands more MIA. Many service members who did return home didn’t come home to celebrations or warm welcomes. Today we express our appreciation of your service and say that you are not forgotten. We pause to remember the loss of those you served with in combat. You are champions of a noble cause, heroes of a fre...edom against evil to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Today - March 29 - we honor the 9 million US Armed Forces personnel with active duty service between 11/1/1955-5/15/1975, including the 2.7 who served in Vietnam. And their families for their sacrifice. Welcome home. #VietnamWarVeteransDay

When our animals resemble us. Thanks to member Michael Davis of Sweet Doe Gelato in VT for the Friday laugh!

Airing at 12p ET / 9a PT today! Link below to tune in. Featuring FVC members Damon Helton (of AR) as moderator, Eric Grandon (of WV), and Sara Creech (of IN). If you miss the live show, the replay is available at the same link.

This is Ryan Stevens. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant in 2018. Ryan served at 2D ANGLICO, MARSOC and NSW DEVGRU, conducting 10 combat deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). The recipient of two Purple Hearts and multiple valor awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Ryan is a graduate of the American Military University.... Now he owns Full Armor Farm in New Vineyard, Maine. He raises Scottish Highland beef cattle, and apple cider, chicken eggs, and seasonal produce accompany his maple and birch syrup production. A Fellowship Fund recipient in 2020, Ryan’s grant will allow him and wife Stephanie to triple their syrup production capability from 200 to 600 taps. When I left the maple syrup game it was buckets, metal spiles and the farmers sap carry, shares Ryan. Full Armor Farm has been able to catch up with technology utilizing the FVC grant to help purchase all the line infrastructure and modern tools to perform installations. We would like to build a small cabin on the farm to help showcase farming as a lifestyle, career or homesteading option for warriors looking for a new mission. #homegrownbyheroes #FarmerVeteranFellowshipFund #maplesyrup #marinecorpsveteran

Reminder to tune in today for all of you wanting to learn more about urban ag. Webinar begins at 9am PT / 12pm ET.

We’re showing off the 17 shades of green from member and Army veteran Jilian Esparza of Gravois Mills, MO! #homegrownbyheroes #farmerveteranfellowshipfund

Last chance to order the FVC Holiday ornament and receive it for the holidays to decorate your home! Link here: https://graphic-promotions.commonsku.com//f65910ce-8c/shop

Rocking it. We are so proud to share that member Ryan Salvas of Radical Roots Farm, LLC has his Mulefoot hog featured in the US Postal Service Heritage Bread Stamp collection. Coming in 2021!

#GivingTuesday Jonathan McDonald served a combined 13 years in the Air Force and the CA Army National Guard, including 3 deployments to Iraq. During his first deployment he was base support with NATO forces, and in his 2nd deployment he provided convoy security as a machine gunner before then transferring to the Army National Guard fulfilling the role as a full-time Military Police Instructor. ... These days he is known more commonly by his ag alias 'Farmer Mac' as he actively pursues mushroom growing for his Forevermore Fungi business. Jonathan recently completed the training program at the Center for Land-Based Learning, a great partner of ours in Northern California. A grant from Tractor Supply Co. - an extension of our Fellowship Fund program - offered Farmer Mac the financial assistance to purchase this $1,400 MYTHOS 6FT x 14FT Hobby Greenhouse. Jonathan's short term goal is to cultivate high quality gourmet mushrooms sustainably, deliver a consistent product timely, and educate the masses on the health benefits of what they are consuming. "One step closer to achieving thy fungible dream" animatedly expresses Farmer Mac. Giving Tuesday: https://farmvetco.givingfire.com/

#GivingTuesday Ronald Schatte is currently serving in the Army National Guard, following 3 deployments during active duty service. Pictured above, Ronald was headed to Kirkuk Iraq after being in Talil for about 30 days. With him is another nurse from his unit at Landstuhl Germany at that time. Ronald is journeying forward on his agricultural endeavor - Diamond S Ranch in Texas - as he builds capital to work his land, improve his herds, and begin managing them in a sustainable... operation. He jumped in with both feet last month, attending our national virtual conference and making new connections with other farmer veteran members in our topical chat rooms. Ronald's baby girl has been so excited since he bought his tractor to start dealing with mesquites and road maintenance. Our team is excited to experience this journey alongside Ron and more veterans transitioning out of the military and into their farming careers. https://farmvetco.givingfire.com/

#GivingTuesday LeRoy Humphries served in the US Navy from 1987-1995 (active duty from 87-91, active reserves from 91-95) and was part of the Coalition Forces in Operation Desert Storm. He was a Petty Officer 2nd Class when he separated from the Navy. LeRoy and his wife own a small farm in northeastern SC, with roughly 32.5 acres. About 12 acres are open pasture and cultivated land. They grow seasonable vegetables and raise chickens for eggs and meat. Their products are raised... using sustainable practices. Currently LeRoy teaches Biology and Agribusiness Technology at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, NC. We are loving sharing these stories with our friends and family, and are truly grateful for your great support today of FVC and our farmer veterans who are feeding America. https://farmvetco.givingfire.com/

#GivingTuesday Jonathan Pylypiv served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for over 12 years. In 2006 his unit deployed to conduct a convoy security mission throughout Iraq, traveling millions of miles and providing security to those convoys in bringing fuel, supplies, and food for military and coalition partners. Years later, Jonathan watched the film Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farmfields on FVC’s farmer veterans, and thought, I think I want to do that too!. It’s... a fitting return to his roots - as a child growing up in Ukraine, his grandparents were farmers in an area of Europe known as the "Bread Basket of Europe." Farming helps connect Jonathan with his roots and offers him a great sense of dignity, healing, and fulfillment - the sights of the field, the sounds of the animals, the smell of the fresh rain, and the feel of the sun’s warmth. His Bread Basket Farm property is his happy place. As he builds on what he has already in the years ahead, he also want to make it a place where fellow veterans can come and participate in what that experience has to offer. He shares: FVC has presented me opportunities for learning through scholarships at conferences like MOSES in Wisconsin, and peer to peer support has been priceless during my early farming years. I appreciate the approach of empowering me and other veterans to fulfill a new mission for our communities of growing great food!" We owe this gratitude to our community, all you who help fund us in support of these veterans. To give in support of more hopeful farmer veterans, visit: https://farmvetco.givingfire.com/