Hands-on training, working on farms, and sustainable agriculture conferences help expand learning. For some beginning farmers hands-on training, such as farm workshops and demonstrations, is key to allow them to practice skills they later use on their own farms. Many veterans also prefer team-learning due to their cohesive culture. Veterans may prefer a customized internship that suits their schedules, immerses them in day-to day operations, shows firsthand the business aspects of operating a farm, and allows learning in a relationship or community setting. Some farmer veterans open their farms to other veterans and learners. Sustainable agriculture conferences and farmer veteran meet ups are also great ways to continue learning and network; we offer scholarships for veterans on a limited basis.
Upcoming events/trainings
The annual Frontline to Farm Beginning Farmer Veteran Training will be held June 24-28 of 2024 in Boone, NC
Apply now for the Beginning Farmer Veteran Training
The annual Frontline to Farm Alumni Training will be held June 27-28 of 2024 in Boone, NC
- Join sustainable agriculture conferences, such as Carolina Farm Stewardship Association or Carolina Meat Conference, to learn about ecological practicesNetwork with other farmers and veterans
- Inquire for scholarship and see Further resources
- Read about our future annual Frontline to Farm Beginning Farmer Veteran Training here
Hands-on training
- Join farm tours and demonstrations
- Visit SD Farm in Fleetwood, NC and local farms
Scholarship Opportunities
Veteran Scholarships for Agricultural Conference Attendance: Frontline to Farm and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are partnering to offer the veteran scholarships. NCAT will award scholarships of up to $250 for military veterans who want to learn about sustainable livestock production and farm business at an agricultural conference. These are made avalible with funds from NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (grant #2020-49400-32301).
- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Conference
- Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference
- Carolina Meat Conference
- Another sustainable agriculture conference or training that the applicant identifies. Please provide details
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. View application online
Education modules
- Access online educational modules on ecological agriculture, regenerative livestock production, agroforestry, and farm business
Farmer veteran internships
Contact Frontline to Farm veterans directly to inquire about customized internships at their farms.
- Cory Bryk (newlifefarm.nc@gmail.com) a Sergeant with the Marine Corps, farms in Lenoir, NC with enterprises ranging from pastured poultry, woodlot swine, and specialty vegetables and herbs in hoophouses.
- Terrell Spencer (acrossthecreekfarm@gmail.com) of Across the Creek Farm in West Fork, AR served 9 years in the U.S. Army and has been a farmer mentor since 2014. His primary enterprises include swine and pastured poultry. He raises 10,000 broilers a year, operates a small processing plant, and sells to local markets and restaurants. He has trained over a dozen farmers through the internship program.
- COL Ryan Pace (Ret.) (rtpace45@yahoo.com) served in the Army and Army National Guard for almost 29 years and retired in January 2020. His final commanding position was as the 77th Combat Aviation Brigade Commander serving in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the Middle East. In his civilian job, he serves farmers with Greenway Equipment (a John Deere Company), as a Regional VP in the Central Arkansas area. He also has a grass-fed beef operation, Wholly Cow Farms, in Searcy AR.