Applications Open for New York “Armed to Farm” Veteran Training

veterans in armed to farm training stand outside high tunnel filled with plants

Participants in the NYS Armed to Farm 2017 listen to Paul Arnold at Pleasant Valley Farm describe his high tunnel management.
Erin Reid Coker / SUNY Adirondack

Military veterans are now welcome to apply to attend the week-long Armed to Farm (ATF) training, hosted by the Cornell Small Farms Program’s Farm Ops and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) this summer. Held from July 29 to August 2, 2019, in Victor, NY, the ATF training allows veterans and their spouses to experience sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and explore agriculture as a viable career.

ATF’s engaging blend of farm tours, hands-on experience, and interactive classroom instruction gives participants a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farm. Participants learn about business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, livestock production, fruit and vegetable production, and more. In addition, attendees gain a network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.

NCAT Sustainable Agriculture specialists will lead the training sessions, with additional contributors from Cornell University and USDA agencies, plus experienced crop and livestock producers.

Applications are available at www.ncat.org/atf_NY_19 and are due by Sunday, June 30, 2019. The number of participants will be limited. NCAT will notify selected participants by July 5.

All military veterans, as well as their spouses or farm partners in New York State, are welcome to apply. As this program is part of a Veterans Administration project at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, participants are expected to be enrolled at a NYS VA facility. Contact Dean Koyanagi at drk5@cornell.edu or (607) 255-9911 for additional details.

Kacey Deamer

Kacey is the Communications Manager for the Cornell Small Farms Program. In this role, she manages all storytelling and outreach across the program’s website, social media, e-newsletter, magazine and more. Kacey has worked in communications and journalism for more than a decade, with a primary focus on science and sustainability.
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4 Comments

  1. Avatar of Dan Berkey Dan Berkey on May 30, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    Are children of veterans also permitted to apply to this? Dan Berkey

    • Nina Sannes on June 3, 2019 at 8:35 am

      Hi Dan,
      I would recommend you direct your question to Dean Koyanagi, he can be reached at drk5@cornell.edu or (607) 255-9911 for additional details.
      Thanks!

  2. Avatar of Rebekah Rebekah on June 3, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    Is airfare included in this? What is the cost of this program?

    • Nina Sannes on June 5, 2019 at 9:11 am

      Hi Rebekah,
      This is from the NCAT website: “Attendees are responsible for their travel to and from the event. Please let us know if travel cost is an issue.”
      With any other inquiries I would recommend contacting Dean Koyanagi at drk5@cornell.edu or (607) 255-9911.
      Thanks!

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