Posts by Rich Mattingly

Rich is a Marine Corps veteran and is dedicated to building community through sustainable agriculture. He lives in Dryden, NY, and is an aspiring farmer, with the goal of growing healthy food for local food sovereignty initiatives. He worked as a veterans associate for the Farm Ops project from 2024-2025.

Finding the Tractor That Fits Your Farm

By Rich Mattingly / January 14, 2026

For farmers deciding whether it is time to invest in a tractor, the stakes are high. A tractor can open the door to greater efficiency and safer work, or it…

Branching Out: Veterans Grow Their Fruit Tree Knowledge

By Rich Mattingly / July 9, 2025

Veterans across New York State are gaining hands-on skills in fruit tree production through a unique learning cohort developed by the Cornell Small Farms Program’s Farm Ops project. Over the…

Farmer veterans learn the fencing basics with Farm Ops

By Rich Mattingly / June 25, 2025

WEST ONEONTA, N.Y. — Veterans and beginning farmers gathered May 30 at Turrell Farm for a hands-on livestock fencing workshop  hosted by Farm Ops, the veterans project of the Cornell…

Farm Ops Virtual Event May 20, 2025 Field-Expedient Photography: Capturing Your Farm’s Story with Your Phone

By Rich Mattingly / April 17, 2025

As a veteran, you know the value of adaptability, attention to detail, and getting the job done with the tools at hand. That same mindset that served you in uniform…

The Future of Small Farming is Fungi

By Rich Mattingly / April 14, 2025

In October, Hawk Meadow Farm near Ithaca, NY, hosted a hands-on shiitake cultivation workshop, sponsored by the Cornell Small Farms Program, drawing a diverse group of gardeners, homesteaders, and farmers…

Farm Ops In-Person Grafting Workshop

By Rich Mattingly / February 4, 2025

Farm Ops, in collaboration with Ort Family Farm, is proud to present an exclusive, hands-on grafting workshop designed for growers, gardeners, and horticulture enthusiasts. This in-person event, held at Cornell…

Veterans Grow Together at VanKeuren Square

By Rich Mattingly / January 29, 2025

In Syracuse, NY, veterans at the VanKeuren Square apartments are finding healing and connection through the therapeutic power of gardening. Located in the heart of the city, VanKeuren Square is…

NYCAMH Offers Support for Farmers Facing Physical and Safety Challenges

By Rich Mattingly / January 15, 2025

With more than 100 agricultural workers injured every day and seven out of ten farms shuttered within five years of a serious accident, the risks are clear — but so…

Farm Ops hosts In-Person, Guided Tour of Ort Family Farm – April 25, 2025

By Rich Mattingly / December 3, 2024

Farm Ops is proud to partner with Ort Family Farm to offer farmer veterans an exclusive in-person tour, exploring orchard management and specialty crop production. This event is ideal for…

Farm Ops Offering Virtual Grafting Seminar With Roger Ort

By Rich Mattingly / December 3, 2024

Farm Ops is offering a virtual seminar led by Roger Ort, owner and head grower at Ort Family Farm, to explore the fascinating world of grafting. Roger will guide you…