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Support Veteran Farmers in Pennsylvania
First, the bad news: due to space limitations at the venue, our tabling space is not full for the 2024 Veteran Farming Conference.
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But the good news is, your ag education or service agency is instead invited to sponsor a display in our Conference program, which historically reaches over 120 people in hard copy, and is available free to all farmers online for one year.
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Put your information in front of veteran and beginning farmers, and support our marquee educational event with a donation by January 15th
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You'll submit design in pdf, jpg or png as shown:
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Dustin and Lindsey Butler and their cattle at Butler Hill Beef, Knoxville, PA.
Since 2013, the Pennsylvania Veteran Farming Project network has worked to support veteran-owned farms and agribusinesses. Our members have served honorably in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as active duty, Guard and Reserve members, and their spouses.
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Our mission is Connection-- with education, mentoring, and support to build sustainable farms—both financially and environmentally. We do this through:
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--Education—tours, workshops, webinars, Bee Bootcamp, and our annual state-wide conference
--Mentoring: formally through VA On-the-Job Apprenticeships and Army Career Skills Program for transitioning soldiers; and informally, pairing new or entering farmers with those with day-to-day experience farming.
--Individualized resource referral to partners in conservation like the Keystone 10 Million Trees Program, state Service Foresters, county conservation districts, USDA resources for technical assistance and funding; commercial and non-profit lenders; subject matter experts from higher learning; and Veteran Service Organizations.
--And most importantly, veteran-to-veteran connections. Putting producers together with new markets, fostering relationships for peer-to-peer problem solving, establishing our donor-funded Small Grant Fund through which veteran farmers are paying it forward to the next veteran entrepreneur--this is perhaps the most rewarding facet of our work building sustainable, veteran-owned farms
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Become a partner in supporting veterans who farm and own agribusinesses in Pennsylvania. Your gift to the IRS registered 501c3 Greenforge, Inc. as our fiscal sponsor is a tangible way of saying “Thank You” to those who have served and who now farm.
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And if you're not in a position to make a monetary donation, buy from a veteran owned farm or agribusiness in your community.
Please make your check payable to “Greenforge, Inc.” and write “PAVFN” in the memo line. Mail to:
PAVFP
PO Box 65
Forbes Road PA 15633
Greenforge, Inc. is a registered 501c3, and as such, your donation may be tax exempt. Consult your tax professional. Please contact us at 724-691-1087 or pavetsfarm@gmail.com for with questions.
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Recent Grants Administered by the PA Veteran Farming Network
3 veterans were awarded mini-grants of $1000 each in 2023, thanks to individual donors and Pittsburgh Steelers Charities.
11 veterans statewide received up to $10,000 each for their growing farms through out Force Multiplier Grants, funded by PA Dept. of Agriculture in 2022.
3 veterans were awarded John Nolan Barn Safety Grants in 2022/3 to purchase fire extinguishers and other equipment to enhance safety for people and livestock on their farm operations.
An Army National Guard veteran has purchased a new chicken tractor to provide pastured poultry to her community.
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An Army veteran received help renovating the barn where her fellow veterans learn equine management skills.
A Navy veteran was able to install cross fencing for rotational grazing for her cattle and goats.
And and a dual-service National Guard couple who were awarded funds for a portahut for their growing goat herd.
Portahut at The Ten Penny Farm, purchased with The Skirted Soldier small grant in 2021/