DAVIS, California – September 2, 2015—Farmer Veteran Coalition has announced that the second tractor in the “Geared to Give” program, sponsored by Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC), was awarded to Jason Kerr of DeWitt, Iowa.
KTC and Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) announced the award in a special ceremony at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. The “Geared to Give” program was launched in March of this year by Kubota and FVC. Through the program, Kubota will donate one Standard L-Series tractor per quarter to an FVC Fellowship recipient pursuing a career in agriculture. The award to Kerr is the second in the program.
Jason Kerr is a Farmer Veteran Coalition member who owns and operates Kerr’s Berry Farm, a “U-Pick” blueberry farm in DeWitt, Iowa. He is a US Army veteran with a desire to make a positive impact on all that he touches.
In response to the 9/11 attacks, Kerr enlisted in the Army, and was deployed to Iraq where he sustained serious injuries. After returning to the US, he still felt the calling to assist others, so he went to work helping veterans for the state of Iowa. Needing an even greater challenge, he went into blueberry farming, a niche crop in Iowa. Working the land to grow blueberries has been both an arduous and therapeutic experience. Through his indomitable spirit and assistance from Farmer Veteran Coalition and a Bob Woodruff Farming Fellowship, he has grown his farming operation to 1200 thriving blueberry plants.
“When I got the news, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.” said Kerr. “I’m really excited to work with Kubota and Kunau Implement, my local dealer, to get this equipment working out on the farm. I already have big plans for it!”
“We’re proud to help make a difference in the lives of farmer veterans in America,” said Todd Stucke, Kubota vice president of sales, marketing and product support. “Kubota’s partnership with FVC is a natural fit not only because of the organization’s emphasis on agriculture, but because of its national reach, which allows our 1,100 dealers across the country an opportunity to get involved with this cause.”
“Farmer Veteran Coalition was founded to assist veterans who are beginning or sustaining post-military careers in agriculture. ‘Geared to Give’ is an excellent avenue to facilitate such support to our veterans as they embark on their agricultural endeavors,” said Michael O’Gorman, founder and executive director of FVC. “It is both heartwarming and a great honor to share this day with Jason as he receives this much-needed Kubota tractor.”
Through the “Geared to Give” program, KTC provides financial support to FVC and one tractor per calendar quarter to a farmer veteran pursuing a career in agriculture. Farmer veterans like Kerr who are FVC Fellowship recipients will be considered for donated Kubota equipment through the program. Kubota has selected its Standard L-Series compact tractors, built here in the US, for this program, as their versatility and efficiency are ideal for meeting the varying needs of many small- and medium-sized farming operations.
For more information about the “Geared to Give” program, visit www.kubotacares.com. To learn more about FVC, visit www.farmvetco.org.
About Farmer Veteran Coalition
The mission of Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) is mobilizing veterans to feed America. FVC works to develop a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and expand viable employment and career opportunities through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. Through mentorship, peer support and career counseling, FVC supports veterans returning to or beginning careers in the food and farming industry. For more information, visit www.farmvetco.org.
About Kubota Tractor Corporation
Kubota Tractor Corporation, Torrance, Calif., is the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota-engineered and manufactured machinery and equipment, including a complete line of tractors of up to 170 Gross hp, performance-matched implements, compact and utility-class construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, hay tools and spreaders, commercial turf products and utility vehicles. Kubota launched “Geared to Give” in March 2015 in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to provide financial support and donated Kubota equipment to U.S. military veterans pursuing a future in farming. For more information, visitwww.kubotacares.com or www.kubota.com.