CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.- (CLARKSVILLENOW) A nationwide movement by the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) believes that veterans might serve their country in a new capacity, as providers of the nation’s food and fiber – and help themselves in the process.
With support from the USDA, a new program is coming to Tennessee to help the dreams of some veterans become a reality. It may also help others who would like to farm, but don’t know where or how to start. The USDA awards, which amount to nearly $739,000 over the course of 3 years in separate grants to the two universities, will help fund UT and TSU Extension specialists as they meet with farmers to develop a business and financial plan for their farms to help beginning farmers’ efforts lead to success.
The Tennessee Beginning Farmers Development Program (TBFD) will provide resources and assistance to beginning farmers, especially those who are military personnel, veterans, and farmers with disabilities. Funded with two 3-year awards from USDA, the TBFD will launch in early 2018 in upper Middle Tennessee, and then expand statewide. Upper Middle Tennessee was chosen because of its proximity to Fort Campbell, which has a high concentration of military personnel including those who are on active duty, discharged and retired. The program will be expanded statewide in years 2 and 3.
Agriculture offers purpose and opportunity, as well as physical and psychological benefits. The TBFD will work to connect the opportunity of agriculture to Tennesseans who hope to start, develop and fund an agriculture-based enterprise.
Over the last 4 years Tennessee Extension has referred beginning farmers to Tennessee New Farmer Academy, a seven-month certification program with hands-on farming led by Finis Stribling, TSU Area Extension Specialist. The academy will expand statewide in 2018 and tie in with beginning farmer education opportunities.
Among the first steps of the project is gathering citizen input. TBFD specialists have developed a survey to help assess beginning farmer needs across the state. The survey will close December 1, 2017, and can be found at extension.tennessee.edu/beginningfarmers. More information can also be found on the Tennessee Beginning Farmer Development Facebook page.
The UT/TSU Montgomery County Extension office will hold a Tennessee Beginner Farmer Development stakeholder meeting on Monday, December 4, at 6 p.m. This will be held at the Montgomery County Courthouse, 2 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville, in the third floor meeting room. Those who can’t attend can contact Kean for more information, 931-648-5725, kkean1@tnstate.edu.