As promised in my year-end wrap-up, there has been an inspiring development for the Farmer Veteran Coalition community. Fields 4 Valor Farms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Veterans through agriculture, has integrated into the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC).
Fields 4 Valor Farms, founded by Army Veteran Peter Scott in 2016, has made remarkable strides in helping Veterans reconnect with the land and establish a sense of purpose. The organization operates a farm in Maryland, providing Veterans and their families with fresh produce, educational resources, and hands-on farming experience.
Over the years, Fields 4 Valor Farms has not only addressed food insecurity among Veteran families but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and mental well-being through its agricultural programs.
Founder Michael O’Gorman established the Farmer Veteran Coalition 16 years ago, and it has grown to become the nation’s largest nonprofit organization focused on mobilizing Veterans to feed America. For several years now the Coalition has been educating the public regarding the high food insecurity rates around military communities.
FVC has collaborated with partners on pilots in Texas to provide solutions to this issue using food produced by FVC’s certified growers with the Homegrown By Heroes labeling program.
Combining the resources of Field 4 Valor Farms will allow its mark to become the trademark for FVC’s newest program for food insecurity, which will expand throughout the country. Initially, Peter Scott will assist the Maryland Chapter of FVC with these efforts, eventually expanding the program through our Appalachian Region, which consists of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and South Carolina.
Additionally, Mr. Scott’s efforts on our Board of Trustees will ensure the further expansion of this program across our national footprint as well. We welcome Peter to the FVC family and look forward to all that we can achieve on this issue that is of the highest importance to us all.
This partnership brings together two organizations with a shared mission of empowering Veterans through farming. By joining forces, we aim to expand our reach, enhance our resources, and create a more robust support system for Farmer Veterans. Fields 4 Valor Farm’s hands-on approach to addressing food insecurity and building community complements our nationwide efforts to help Veterans thrive in agriculture.
Together, we can make an even greater impact as we scale our efforts and reach more Veterans who can benefit from the healing and empowerment that agriculture provides. Our mission remains the same, but our capacity to achieve it has grown exponentially.
This partnership comes at a time when the agricultural sector is seeking new farmers and ranchers to meet the challenges of feeding a growing population. Veterans, with their discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills, are uniquely suited to thrive in this field.
As Fields 4 Valor Farms integrates into the Farmer Veteran Coalition, the message is clear: the mission to support Veterans through farming is stronger than ever. Together, they are building a future where Veterans can find purpose, healing, and success in agriculture while contributing to the nation’s food security.
Thank you to our farmers who continue to provide food to those in need during these critical time of national disasters throughout our country. Everything you do is strengthening your rural communities and I am so proud of you all.
Jeanette