Across the United States, thousands of farmers and ranchers quietly serve in a second role beyond agriculture. They are members of the National Guard or military reserves – citizen soldiers who balance military duty with the everyday work of producing food, fiber, and livestock for the country.
Continuing our commitment to International Year of the Woman Farmer, we are delighted to feature Heather Delanoy, as a part of our Women of FVC program. Heather Delanoy served in the Washington Air National Guard before starting her farm, Wild Sage Farms. Heather was a Fellowship Fund awardee in both 2023 and 2024, funded by Tractor Supply Company both times.
Over the past several seasons, many Farmer Veterans have built real momentum through local and regional markets. Farm-to-school contracts have expanded, food hubs have grown, institutions leaned into regional sourcing, and consumers actively sought out products with a story and a face behind them.
2026 is International Year of the Woman Farmer and the Farmer Veteran Coalition is committed to featuring women FVC members each month, as a part of the Women of FVC program. This month’s feature is April Smurda, U.S. Air Force, of Growing Roots Farm.
Davian McKnight, U.S. Marine Corps, is the owner and operator of McKnight Farms, as well as the President of the South Carolina FVC Chapter. Davian works to support veterans and members of his community who are interested in agriculture and help others discover agriculture as a path forward.
A strategic plan is more than a document. At its best, it’s a promise: that we will meet the needs of today while building the capacity for tomorrow. The Farmer Veteran Coalition’s Strategic Plan (2026) which was approved by our Board of Directors in December, is grounded in that promise.
Heather Wright, U.S. Air Force veteran, is a fifth-generation farmer in Berkeley County, West Virginia. Heather is a 2024 Fellowship Fund awardee. She was able to purchase an IronCraft 3-point rear tiller and a utility trailer, which was funded by Kubota Tractor Corporation.
The holiday season is often called the “season of giving”, but for many families it can also be the season of hard choices – between groceries and heating bills, between a full cart and a full tank of gas, between fresh food and whatever stretches farthest. Food insecurity doesn’t take a holiday. In fact, winter can intensify it: school breaks can pause access to free or reduced-price meals, seasonal work can slow down, and unexpected expenses stack up fast. Yet December also brings something powerful – communities ready to help, eager to rally around meaningful causes, and willing to direct their generosity where it can do the best.
Darnell Dugger, U.S. Army, was in the 1st Calvary Division and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the owner of Acre & Herd Ranch in Griffin, Georgia. In November, he was among five recipients of new Kubota equipment for the “Geared to Give” program.
Stephen Clark served in the U.S. Army National Guard for 24 years and is now the owner of Buzz & Cluck Farm in Buckhannon, West Virginia. This year, he became a recipient for the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund, funded by Wounded Warrior Project.
