In a significant move to support military Veterans transitioning into agriculture, the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) in Louisiana.
This collaboration aims to provide Veterans with the necessary resources, training, and support to establish successful farming and ranching operations in the Delta Region, encompassing Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
Establishing the Regional Coordinator Position
A cornerstone of this partnership was the creation of a Regional Coordinator position, funded jointly by FVC and NRCS. In January 2024, Army Veteran Richard Creppel assumed this role, bringing with him over 20 years of military experience and a passion for agriculture.
As the Regional Coordinator, Richard assists Veterans in accessing USDA programs, including NRCS grants and conservation initiatives, and guides them in utilizing Veterans Affairs benefits pertinent to agricultural endeavors. His efforts are directed toward helping Veterans acquire the training and support necessary to initiate and sustain farming and ranching operations.
Enhancing Veteran Access to Agricultural Programs
The agreement between FVC and NRCS is designed to facilitate Veterans’ entry into agriculture by providing outreach, education, application assistance, and case management.
I would like to highlight the significance of this collaboration with the Louisiana State Conservationist, we have crafted a dynamic agreement that will assist our Farmer Veterans with accessing NRCS practices, while supporting the goals of the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas membership and identifying Veteran and agricultural resources in our Delta Region.
This initiative aims to streamline the process for Veterans to engage with NRCS programs, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices among new Veteran farmers.
Richard Creppel: Bridging Military Service and Agriculture
Richard Creppel’s journey from military service to agriculture exemplifies the potential of this partnership. A Louisiana native, Richard served in the Army and National Guard, with deployments to Iraq and Africa.
After retiring as a Sergeant First Class, he ventured into agriculture by cultivating industrial hemp and raising sheep and goats.
Richard believes in the therapeutic benefits of farming for Veterans, noting, “I believe agriculture has a great healing benefit for military service members. The agriculture community provides a strong camaraderie; much like one found in the military service.”
A Model for Future Collaborations
This NRCS partnership serves as a model for future collaborations between Veteran organizations and agricultural agencies.
It is my hope that this agreement can be duplicated for the remaining nine regions that FVC has across the United States and its territories. By expanding such initiatives, more Veterans can be empowered to pursue careers in agriculture, contributing to the nation’s farming community and their personal well-being.
Steps to lead to this outcome began in December with a meeting in Washington, D.C., with the Regional Conservationist.
USDA Support for Veteran Farmers
The USDA offers various programs to support military Veteran farmers, including loans, conservation assistance, disaster recovery, and risk management options. Veterans may qualify for special provisions such as microloans that do not count toward the total number of years for direct loan assistance, priority in loan funding, and increased financial assistance rates for implementing conservation practices.
These resources are designed to help Veterans successfully transition into agriculture and sustain their operations.
The Farmer Veteran Coalition and USDA NRCS in Louisiana have established a framework that not only supports Veterans in their agricultural pursuits but also strengthens the agricultural community by integrating the unique skills and experiences of military Veterans.
