Armed to Farm 2018

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is bringing its nationally recognized Armed to Farm training to Troy, New Hampshire. The Armed to Farm Program provides military veterans the skills they would need to transition from a military life to a farming life and is offered free-of-charge thanks to a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Armed to Farm is scheduled for June 11 – June 15, 2018 at The Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, NH. The event is free for those chosen to attend; lodging, transportation to local farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event.

Veterans can visit ncat.org/armedtofarm to complete an application by April 27, 2018. The program is available to military veterans in the Northeast who are interested in starting a farm or who have recently begun farming (less than 10 years). Spouses and farming partners are also invited to apply. NCAT will notify selected participants by May 4.

Armed to Farm combines engaging classroom sessions with farm tours and hands-on activities. Participants learn about business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, livestock production, vegetable production, and more. Participants gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable and regenerative farming enterprise. In addition, Armed to Farm attendees join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.
Instructors for this New Hampshire Armed to Farm will include NCAT sustainable agriculture specialists, UNH Cooperative Extension agents, representatives from USDA agencies, and experienced crop and livestock producers.