Posts by Nina Saeli

Nina retired from active duty in 2009. She and her husband, Jeffrey, own and operate Centurion Farm in Locke, NY. Nina also now works with the Cornell Small Farms Program as coordinator of our Farm Ops project supporting veterans in agriculture.

Building a Flower Farm Strategy Event for Veterans

By Nina Saeli / February 20, 2024

Susan Orellana-Clark founded Bristol Hills Lavender and Flower Farm in 2016. While grieving the loss of her veteran husband, Susan found comfort and hope in working with soil and growing flowers. As someone who takes pride in her work and always strives for excellence, Susan worked tirelessly to meet her customers’ expectations and her own…

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Farm Op Offers Tree Fruit Production Field Day for Veteran Cohort

By Nina Saeli / February 12, 2024

Tree Fruit Production cohort members will be afforded the opportunity to fill the slots for this in person event. Read the details on the event below. Everyone must RSVP to let us know if you will or if you will not be able to attend. You must RSVP by midnight February 24th Event: Tree Fruit Production Field…

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Farm Ops Offering NYS Veteran Cohort for Tree Fruit Production Online Course

By Nina Saeli / August 18, 2023

Do you want to establish an orchard as part of your farm business? Or maybe you have an orchard that needs rehabilitation? Farm Ops, the Cornell Small Farms Program’s veteran project, assists veterans in building and sustaining their farm and agricultural businesses. Farm Ops is building the 2024 Tree Fruit Production Veteran Cohort. This cohort…

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Farm Ops Offering NYS Veteran Cohort for Starting at Square One Online Course

By Nina Saeli / August 18, 2023

Have you transitioned out of the military or are you getting ready to transition and still deciding what you want to do as a second career? Ever thought about working in an agricultural related job or starting a farm business? Farm Ops, the Cornell Small Farms Program’s veteran project, assists veterans in exploring agricultural and…

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Farm Ops Offering Veteran Scholarships for Cornell Small Farms 2023-24 Online Courses

By Nina Saeli / August 18, 2023

Farm Ops is committed to supporting NYS veterans desiring to begin or expand their farm business. Farm Ops will be offering a limited number of free enrollment scholarships into Cornell Small Farms on-line courses for active-duty service members and/or military veterans. These courses are for those interested in starting or expanding their farm business. Scholarship…

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NYS Farmer Veteran Training and Support Needs Assessment Survey

By Nina Saeli / June 27, 2023

Dear NYS Farmer Veterans, In an attempt to determine the training and support needs of farmer veterans in New York State regarding the Food Safety Moderation Act, Good Agricultural Practices Certification, and the writing/updating of Food Safety Plans, we have developed a short survey. If you are a farmer veteran producing fruits or vegetables, we ask…

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Farm Ops Scholarship: Grasstravaganza 2023 Growing Resilient Grazing Systems

By Nina Saeli / April 25, 2023

Join Farm Ops staff this summer at Grasstravaganga 2023. The lectures, hands on workshops, and farm tours will focus on assisting your farm and grazing management to be more resilient to short and long-term changes in climate. Topics will also include economics, soil health, consumer preferences, and more. You can register to attend just one…

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SFQ farmer veteran morganti vegetables

Farmer Veterans: Starting at Square One

By Nina Saeli / April 3, 2023

Military service generates multiple transitions points for veterans, and these experiences can support a veteran’s transition into agriculture.   The life transition into the military begins the day individuals raise their right hand. On that day, a person becomes one of a small percentage of Americans, who enter military service. Not to sound dramatic but just…

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Veteran Virtual Seminar: Aromatherapy for Emotional Health

By Nina Saeli / February 23, 2023

Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is defined as a holistic healing treatment that uses essential oils to improve the health of the body, mind and spirit. Essential oils are natural oils using plant extracts. They are made by steaming or pressing different parts of a plant, which then captures the compound which produces…

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Farm Ops Offering Veteran Scholarships to the Forage and Pasture Management Workshop

By Nina Saeli / February 7, 2023

Do you want to get the most out of your pastures and hayfield?  Farm Ops offers support to veterans interested in attending the 2023 Forage and Pasture Management Workshop through a scholarship. Please click on the link below to learn more about this event happening on February 25, 2023. 2023 Forage and Pasture Management Workshop…

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