This past month, I had the privilege of joining veterans, farmers, and community leaders at The Scale House Market located next to the Spokane Conservation District office to celebrate something extraordinary, the 10-year anniversary of Vets on the Farm.
Walking onto the grounds, I could feel the weight of what the day represented. It wasn’t just an anniversary; it was a gathering of people whose lives have been forever changed by the idea that healing, purpose, and service can be found again through farming.
Remembering How It All Began
As I listened to Michael O’Gorman, the founder of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, share how Vets on the Farm started, I found myself reflecting on the courage it took to plant those first seeds. Michael spoke with the same conviction that carried him from the beginning – that veterans are uniquely suited to steward the land, and that farming offers a kind of healing that words alone can’t capture.
Hearing him tell those stories, I thought about how many of the men and women sitting in the audience could now stand as living proof of his vision that began The Farmer Veteran Coalition sixteen years ago.
The Power of Story
When Dalanie Ellis, co-producer of “Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farm Fields”, took the microphone, her voice carried both strength and tenderness. She reminded us of the stories behind the program – stories of veterans who returned home carrying invisible burdens, and how working the soil gave them something solid to hold onto again. Her sheer will to fund, produce and distribute the film showed her grit and determination.
Her words made me pause and be grateful for all the groundwork that was started long before I came to the organization six years ago… These weren’t just success stories – they were lifelines, and Dalanie has been instrumental in sharing them with the world.
Spokane’s Leadership
Of course, it was deeply moving to hear from Vicki Carter, both as an FVC Board Member and as the heart behind Spokane Conservation District’s role in veteran farming. She spoke about Spokane’s early commitment to veterans, how the community rallied behind them, and how “Vets on the Farm” became a model that others now look to.
Watching her speak, I could see the pride in her eyes – pride not only in the program but in the people who have built their farms, their businesses, and their futures through it. Vicki made this evening so memorable for all.
Looking Forward Together
The anniversary wasn’t only about looking back. Over and over, I heard people talk about the future – more mentors, more land access, and more business support for veteran farmers. The dream is bigger than ever, and so is the determination to make it real.
Leaving Spokane, I carried with me the certainty that Vets on the Farm isn’t just a program. It’s a testament to what happens when veterans are given the tools, the training, and the community to thrive in a new mission: feeding people, caring for the land, and finding healing in the process.
A Personal Reflection & Gratitude
For me, representing The National Farmer Veteran Coalition at this milestone was deeply personal. I saw firsthand the impact of a vision that began as an idea that now has become a movement. I saw hope take root in the stories and faces of the veterans who stood proudly as farmers.
Ten years in, Vets on the Farm is proof that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It simply takes a new form – one row, one harvest, and one farm at a time.
Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the FVC Washington Chapter for their ongoing support of this program. Their commitment, energy, and hands-on involvement have been critical to making Vets on the Farm a true success story. Together, we are building the next decade of growth for Farmer Veterans across Washington and beyond.
Growing the Next Decade
The success of Vets on the Farm belongs to everyone who has had a hand in it – from veterans and mentors to local partners and supporters. If you’d like to be part of the next chapter, we invite you to get involved. Support a Farmer Veteran, connect with FVC National or the FVC Washington Chapter, or simply help spread the word about the healing power of agriculture.
Together, we can ensure that the seeds planted over the past years continue to grow for decades to come.
Thank you for a wonderful evening.
About Farmer Veteran Coalition
Based in Waco, Texas, the National Farmer Veteran Coalition empowers Veterans to build meaningful careers in agriculture. FVC offers resources, training, and support to help them transition into farming or agricultural employment. Through education, mentorship, and partnerships, FVC creates economic opportunities, fosters sustainability, and enables Veterans to continue serving by strengthening American agriculture and their communities.
Established in 2009, some of FVC’s in-house programs include the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund small grant program, the nationally recognized Homegrown By Heroes label for Veteran-grown products, MarketMaker, Hives Training Program, Fields4Valor Food Security Program, and the national stakeholders conference. For more information, visit www.farmvetco.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @FarmerVeteranCoalition and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@farmvetcoalition/videos.
