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As the world reels from the COVID-19 pandemic, one group of Americans is providing the fuel to keep us going – our farmers! Planting cannot be postponed. Birthing animals cannot be canceled. Springtime does not wait until next year.
Many of our small, independent farmer veterans are getting hit hard. Farmers markets are closing. Farm-to-school programs are shutting down. Restaurant movement is significantly reduced.
But one thing is for sure. People – all of us – need to eat. While there are many things we can let go of, food is not one. As supermarkets are sold out and customers stand in line for hours to meet their basic needs, a growing number of people are looking to their local farms.
We need our farmers to keep us healthy through this crisis and we will need them to help us rebuild our economy when we come out of this.
At FVC, we believe this time of uncertainty has created a moment of great opportunity.
If anyone can overcome and adapt, it’s our farmer veterans. The military has prepared you for that. Many of you already have done so in a few short days. You have sprung into swift action and implemented innovative ways to make food more accessible to your communities, through online ordering and alternate delivery methods.
Our mission – mobilizing veterans to feed America – is paramount more now than ever before. FVC is doubling our effort to help all of you.
Our entire team is committed to working as hard as all of you are to help you get through this and prosper.
To our farmer veteran members…
We know many of you are feeling the uncertainty of your business surviving right now. Some of you have contacted us in distress. The timing of this is creating a compounded hardship – it comes when your crop has been harvested. For many of you, this signals the arrival of the height of your busy season. This might be the time when you make a good portion of your annual income.
We look at this as a true opportunity. We are here to figure out how to help you get through the first financial shocks. Then, local farms with local distribution capabilities just might be winning bets for a lot of you.
If this is you, we are offering these resources:
REVIEW | this list of Services available
We continue to collaborate with farmer policy organizations to advocate for support you need on the federal and state level. We will share all programs as they transpire.
EMAIL US | and ask for guidance
support@farmvetco.org
SHARE WITH US | your sales methods
Tell us how you are currently selling so that we can share that with our followers in your region.
JOIN OUR MAP | so people can find you
If you are Homegrown By Heroes certified, join our HBH search map so the public can find you and view your website or contact you directly.
If you aren’t yet HBH certified, submit your application!
To our supporters, funders, and community…
Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect us. Now their livelihoods are on the line. We will need our farmers to keep us healthy through this crisis and we will need them to help us rebuild our economy when we come out of this. These farmer veterans are selfless and service-minded. They ask for very little, so we are telling you what they need us to do for them.
DONATE | to our Fundraiser
Our Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund small grant program is our most tangible way we can support our farmer veteran members. To date the Fund has awarded nearly $2.5 million in small grants to more than 600 veterans in the early years of building their farm or ranch businesses.
This year a record 452 veterans have applied for this program.
Every penny donated to this fundraiser will go directly to the veterans it serves – nothing will be taken out for staff or overhead.
PARTNER | with us
For In-kind donations and/or discounts!
Agricultural companies: join Kubota Tractor Corporation, Tractor Supply Company and, our newest partner, Tarter USA, in making in-kind donations to the Fellowship Fund.
Or offer discounts on your services and supplies to our members for whom we have already vetted their military service.
Discounts are a great way to give farmer veterans a little boost after years of serving their country.
If interested, contact our Development Coordinator, Kevin Coral: development@farmvetco.org
BUY | from your local farmers
FVC has launched a brand new map search database to showcase Homegrown By Heroes producers local to your area. Hundreds more will continue to be added in the weeks ahead, prioritizing those with the most perishable crops. Find a farmer near you, or look for something you can have shipped to you. Or ship to a friend or family member in need!
SPREAD THE WORD | to family & friends
Give them the opportunity support and thank our country’s farmer veterans. Share these resources above with them.
Share our Press Release – on your own platforms, with your networks and media contacts.
