Pennsylvania is grateful for its veterans, and its farmers.
The freedoms that we enjoy every day are not simply given to us, they are earned and protected by those serving in uniform today and yesterday. Thank you to our veterans and active armed forces for your sacrifices.
Preparedness and defense are critical to America's food and agriculture sectors and to sustaining and growing rural America.
In honor of Veteran's Day, we highlight the following resources and opportunities for veterans across the commonwealth.
Opportunities:
Homegrown by Heroes
A blended logo but a simple message: Homegrown by Heroes is a program for PA Preferred® members who are veterans. The program allows veteran members to add the Homegrown by Heroes logo to their products so that consumers can easily identify it and support veteran-owned businesses.
America loves veterans and there is no better way for citizens to show their support than by purchasing the fruit of their labor. Displaying the logo on products gives veterans the point-of-sale visibility needed to be successful in the marketplace. Displaying the logo on a farmers' market stand–or anywhere you do business–invites consumers to ask about the logo, providing an opportunity for the veteran to share their story and build a lasting connection with their customers. Homegrown by Heroes brand awareness is growing rapidly. Your products will be associated with a unique and honorable brand, giving you a competitive advantage.
Northeast Equipment Dealers Association Ag Equipment Technician Apprenticeship
Are you in the Reserves or National Guard? Or maybe you're ready to transition out of the military into a challenging and rewarding career? Can you work independently? Be a team player? Organize your time and resources to maximum advantage? Don't mind getting your hands dirty?
Northeast Equipment Dealers Association's agricultural equipment technician apprenticeship maybe the place for you. Because our apprenticeship is competency based it will enable you to leverage skills you've already mastered and the flexibility to earn while you learn. An apprenticeship gives you access to on-the-job training, classroom instruction, other educational and mentor support all focused on helping you expand your knowledge and skill sets that will allow you to advance along a clearly defined career path.
PA Veteran Farming Project & Troops to Tractors
PA Veteran Farming Project- the state's grassroots network of veterans, military, and their spouses who farm and operate agribusinesses.
The PA Veteran Farming Project provides resource referral, education, and connections; convening educational events and promote veteran ag.
They connect honorably discharged veterans, Guard, and Reserve members and their spouses with agriculture resources, bring together employers/mentor farmers with Veterans throughout PA, facilitate "Troops to Tractors" VA OJT apprenticeships, convene workshops and meet-ups that provide veterans with the resources to build sustainable, profitable farms, help eligible individuals find grant funding and assist with applying and much more.
PA VETConnect: A Statewide Outreach Initiative that Better Serves Veterans in Need of Assistance
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) launched PA VETConnect, a statewide outreach initiative designed to better serve the commonwealth's nearly 800,000 veterans. PA VETConnect identifies and cultivates new community partnerships to simultaneously broaden referral capabilities and connect veterans to the best possible resources, regardless of the township, county or region where they reside.
Veteran Farmer Training
Continue to serve with a rewarding career in organic agriculture.
Are you a military veteran ready for a change? Learn how to farm! The Veteran Farmer Training program with Rodale Institute will prepare you for a successful career in organic agriculture.
Learn through personalized, hands-on experiences and get access to Rodale Institute's deep network of industry professionals and experts. Through field trips, workshops, speaking engagements, and more, you'll learn the fundamentals of organic farming.
For more information, please email veterans@RodaleInstitute.org or call 610-683-1442. In addition to completing an application, interested students will be required to submit a resume along with a copy of their DD 214 Member 4 stating discharge status.
USDA Wants to Hire America's Heroes
USDA is looking for smart, experienced people to work at one of the more than 2,100 county offices across the country, or at the headquarters offices in Washington, D.C. USDA prioritizes hiring veterans because we know that you bring a wide range of experiences and strong work ethic that USDA wants and needs across the Department.
Are you ready for another challenge? Please contact the USDA at veterans@usda.gov to see how your skills can be best applied. The USDA Point of Contact can tell you more about special hiring authorities for veterans and your family members, veterans' preference, and how you can align your skills with USDA Mission Areas and Staff Offices.
L&I: PA CareerLink® Honors Military Members Every Day With Free Employment And Training Services
In observance of Veterans Day holiday, Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak is recognizing the sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Forces and reminding current and former members of the military about the free employment and training services available every day to veterans through PA CareerLink®.
Resources:
USDA Veteran Farming
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to assisting military veterans through various programs for beginning farmers and ranchers, as demonstrated by the Department's Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) Information for Veterans.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking to military veterans across the country to fill the roles that keep America's food supply safe and secure, preserve and strengthen rural communities, and restore and conserve the environment.
USDA wants to ensure that veterans looking to return home, or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities you need to succeed.
USDA's veterans website serves as a one-stop navigator for veterans looking to learn more about employment, education, and entrepreneurship on or beyond the farm.