Project Lead: Nina Saeli
Veterans Assistant: Tess Noble Strohm
There are approximately 19 million U.S military veterans, representing less than 10% of the total U.S. adult population. New York State is home to over 800,000 of that military veteran population. Not commonly known and understood, military service members have unique skill sets, which easily transfer to several agricultural or horticulture vocations.
Farm Ops provides the means for veterans, active duty service members, reservists, and members of the national guard to explore agricultural and horticulture avenues. These individuals may be seeking prospects to be their own boss, paths to connect with the soil or with nature, ventures to continue to serve the community in which they work and live, or just opportunities to connect with other veterans. Whatever their interests, Farm Ops aims to serve and support the men and women of NYS, who dedicated their lives in service and support of our nation.
Mission & Vision
To support military service members and veterans who desire to explore and/or pursue agricultural vocations.
- Provide a framework within which veterans can connect with their community, other military veterans involved in agriculture, and resources including targeted programs, information networks, and organizations oriented towards helping veterans transition to agricultural vocations.
- Grow the relationships between Farm Ops and the NYS military/veteran communities.
- Assist in synchronizing the efforts of veteran service/support organizations and farmer-oriented service organizations to gain efficiencies and better align services to farmer veteran needs.
Farm Ops Resources
Join our email list to hear about new resources as they’re added.
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Upcoming Events for Veterans in Agriculture
This calendar features events specifically being offered for veterans interested in agriculture. For more event that you…
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Veteran Scholarships
The Farm Ops project facilitates veterans’ access to agricultural education and training resources. Our scholarship program is…
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Project Resources
Cornell Resources Cornell Small Farms Program Resource Page. Current information is essential to manage your farm and…
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Veteran Farm Stories and Tours
Our Farm Ops project collaborates with established Veteran and Farming groups to create a network of organizations…
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Subscribe to Farm Ops Emails
The Farm Ops SITREP is a monthly email digest built for farmer veterans and designed to enhance…
Events
Events
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Working with your Swine Butcher
VirtualJoin us for an informative Working with your Butcher virtual seminar featuring guest speaker Ethan Scheffler, Meat Lab Manager and Operator at The Ohio State University. In this seminar, Ethan will share valuable insights on how to effectively work with your butcher, including key dos and don’ts that can make a big difference in your end product. […]
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Raising Pigs on Small Acreage
Agri-AccessThis farm tour is designed specifically for farmers interested in adding pigs to their operation or improving their current swine management practices on small acreage. Participants will learn the fundamentals of raising pigs in a sustainable and efficient while maximizing limited land resources. Topics will include breed selection, housing and fencing options, feeding strategies, pasture management, […]
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Shiitake Mushroom Log Yard Management Workshop
Hawk Meadow Farm 5066 Mott Evans Rd., Trumansburg, NY, United StatesIn this workshop, we will cover the basics of shiitake mushroom log yard management in a natural woodland setting. These production techniques result in the best quality shiitake that can […]
Farm Ops News and Updates
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NYS Farmer Veteran Training and Support Needs Assessment Survey
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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
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Farm Ops hosts Stress & Pain Reduction with Aromatherapy and Self Massage Workshops
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Farm Ops recently hosted two workshops designed to support farmer veterans in managing stress and improving well-being through holistic self-care techniques. Led by licensed massage therapist Bec Groves-Haley, these sessions
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Farm Ops and Clear Path Collaborate on Self-Care for Veterans
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In a recent collaboration between Farm Ops and Clear Path for Veterans, a hands-on self-care workshop provided veterans with an opportunity to create personalized wellness products while learning about holistic
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Veteran Workshops: Foraging for Color and Botanical Printing
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Farm Ops recently hosted two workshops in collaboration with fiber artist Sarah Gotowka, aimed at introducing farmer veterans to the possibilities of value-added enterprises through natural dyeing techniques. These events
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Farm Ops Scholarship: Mushroom Farming 101
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Farm Ops provided four scholarships to farmer veterans to attend a hands-on mushroom cultivation event hosted by farmer veteran David DeLaMater and his wife, Mary, at their Dough Haven Farm.
About Nina Saeli
Nina joined the Small Farms Program in 2020 after five years of collaboration with the program as a beginning farmer. She works to support both current and future farmer-veteran programming efforts. Nina’s transitioning from almost 20 years of military service into the civilian community helps to inform the program on how of some of the physical, social, and psychological challenges veterans face. Nina’s work aims to help transitioning veterans find solace in aspect of agriculture that supports that veterans health, self sustainability, community inclusion or other life goals.
About Tess Noble Strohm
Tess joined the Small Farms Program in 2025 as a veterans project assistant with Farm Ops. Her love of the outdoors began by hunting for insects in her Brooklyn backyard as a child. After studying environmental science at Bard College, she worked on a small farm in the Hudson Valley, and then went on to study soil science at Colorado State University. Tess moved to Ithaca, NY, to work as a Research Support Specialist at the Cornell Soil Health Lab before joining the Farm Ops team where she helps veterans thrive in agriculture and ensures they have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Subscribe for Updates and Opportunities
The Farm Ops SITREP is a monthly email digest built for farmer veterans. Emails will share upcoming events and training/educational opportunities, external news, curated agricultural articles, stories about fellow farmer veterans across New York State, and more.
