Applications Open for New York “Armed to Farm” Veteran Training
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.
Are children of veterans also permitted to apply to this? Dan Berkey
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!
Is airfare included in this? What is the cost of this program?
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!