Veterans Make Great Farmers

Veterans Make Great Farmers

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
Military veterans who are new to farming, or just interested in finding out about it were in Nebraska recently to see how others have turned their military skills into a career in agriculture.

 

The Answering the Call conference offered an opportunity for veterans to get an up-close look at how other veterans are building farming operations.

 

Jordan Rasmussen with the Center for Rural Affairs says farming is a challenge, but many veterans have what it takes.

 

"Often farming and ranching can be a natural fit for them because the dedication and commitment and work ethic kind of remains the same,” she explains. “With that said, there's also a difficulty in breaking into the farming business."

 

She says the Center for Rural Affairs is offering to provide information for anyone who would like to learn about the program.

 

"We also have staff members that are willing to sit down and talk with veteran farmers if they're looking to get started or wherever they're at in their operation to help them understand some of the resources available and also troubleshoot in a variety of those pieces."

 

 

According to census data the average farmer is 58 years old, and the number of U.S. farms has dropped 4 percent in the past decade.

 

Rasmussen says with the right support, veterans returning to civilian life can become the next generation of farmers.

 

 

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