Veterans and Heroes Agribusiness Pitch Competition

Veterans and Heroes Agribusiness Pitch Competition is sponsored by West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA). The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) Veterans and Heroes Agribusiness Pitch Competition aims to encourage law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service, first responders, veterans, active-duty military, and/or their spouses and family to engage in agricu…

Veterans & Heroes to Agriculture : West Virginia Department of Agriculture Veterans & Heroes to Agriculture The Department of Agriculture developed the Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program to integrate veterans into the field of agriculture, and support veterans currently working in agriculture.

These programs may include, but are not limited to, using post-mine land for agricultural development, promoting high tunnel crops and production, expanding the apiary industry, developing cottage industries, exploring niche crops, raising more livestock, increasing the aquaculture industry and helping veterans promote their agricultural products through farmers markets and cooperatives.

Meet the Staff Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program Manager Nick Dayton is originally from Johnstown, PA. He enlisted in the Navy in 2014 as a CTT and was stationed in Virginia onboard USS Gravely DDG 107 and IWTG Norfolk. He left the Navy in 2020 with his wife Melissa and moved back to West Virginia in 2021 to be closer to family and bought their farm, Oakridge Farm in Romney, WV.

They welcomed their first child, Emma this past September. As a member of the Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture program they have been able to grow so much as farmers. When he saw the position for Program Manager open, he felt called upon to be a part of the organization that helped and brought him so far in his personal agriculture journey.

Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program Coordinator Position is currently VACANT.

Getting Started Veterans & Heroes to Agriculture The Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture program is dedicated to the integration and support of veterans, firefighters, law enforcement, emergency services personnel and first responders entering or currently working in agriculture to benefit their health and welfare, as well as the state’s agricultural economy.

The application collects a baseline of information to help direct members to pertinent resources and is free to join. You can email completed applications to vetstoag@wvda.

us or mail to Business Development Division ATTN: Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture 217 Gus R Douglas Lane, Charleston, WV 25312 VETERANS & HEROES PROGRAM APPLICATION Veterans and Heroes Pitch Competition The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is pleased to announce the FY26 competitive Request for Applications (RFA) for the Veterans and Heroes Agribusiness Pitch Competition.

The WVDA Agribusiness Pitch Competition aims to encourage law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency medical service, first responders, veterans, active-duty military, and/or their spouses and family to engage in agriculture, and agribusiness ventures.

The initiative also aims to ensure the continuous creation of investible ideas and start up originators that will contribute to enhancing the Department of Agriculture’s food security objectives and economic growth. Application Due: January 16, 2026 by 4:00pm.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The West Virginia Department of Agriculture will reimburse up to $600 each fiscal year, ending June 30 th , for any pre-approved agricultural-related classes, workshops, conferences, and certifications. You must fill out the Scholarship Application PRIOR to registering for the training event . Completed applications can be emailed to vetstoag@wvda.

us or mailed to Business Development Division ATTN: Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture 217 Gus R Douglas Lane, Charleston, WV 25312. You can browse a sampling of approved courses here. This list is not all encompassing.

If you have any questions about a class, workshop, conference, or certification, please contact the Business Development Division at 304-558-2210 or vetstoag@wvda.

us Beef Production & Management Getting Started with Pasture Pigs Indoor Specialty Mushroom Cultivation Mid-Ohio Valley Growers Conference Retail Farm Market School Unlimited Future, Inc.: Planning for Profit WV Beekeepers Association Spring/Fall Conference WV Master Gardner Conference Woodland Mushroom Cultivation Woodland Stewardship: Management Practices for Landowners Veterans & Heroes Grant Program The Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Grant Program was developed to provide funding to organizations around the state who work directly with or provide support to law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency medical service, first responders, veterans, active-duty military, and/or their spouses and family within an agricultural capacity.

Grants may not exceed $24,000, and are awarded through an application process. WV Gold Star Mothers Receive $24,000 in Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Grant : West Virginia Department of Agriculture Shepherd University and Patriot Guardens Receive $12,000 in Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Grant Funding : West Virginia Department of Agriculture (wv.

gov) The 2024 West Virginia Veterans & Heroes Directory Find your favorite Veterans & Heroes products today or connect with a local mentor! WV Grown and Homegrown By Heroes Merged Mark The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the official agreement with the Farmer Veteran Coalition’s Homegrown By Heroes Mark to produce a merged mark combining WV Grown and the Homegrown By Heroes.

This mark certifies farmers and ranchers of all military eras to sell their product as veteran and locally owned and produced. This is a marketing initiative that informs consumers that agricultural products donning the mark were locally produced, grown, or with 50% or greater value-added non-water ingredients within West Virginia by U.S. military veterans.

The initiative allows veterans to differentiate their farm and ranch products in the marketplace. Benefits of using the merged WV Grown and Homegrown By Heroes Mark The mark differentiates locally and veteran-produced products in competitive markets. It provides consumers a tangible way to support veterans.

Displaying the mark on your farmers’ market stand, egg cartons, canned goods, produce boxes, etc. gives veterans the point-of-sale visibility needed to be successful in the marketplace. Displaying the mark on a farmers’ market stand or anywhere you do business invites consumers to ask about the mark, providing an opportunity for the veteran to share their story and connect with their customers.

In many cases, this leads to loyal, returning customers. How do I get WV Grown Homegrown By Heroes certified? In order to become a certified Homegrown By Heroes member, first become a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (membership is free).

If you are not yet a member or for more information, visit https://farmvetco. org/membership/ After your membership has been approved by FVC, then you’ll need to become a certified Homegrown By Heroes member. More details can be found here https://farmvetco.

org/hbh/ . Finally, apply to the WV Grown program (membership is free). If you are not yet a member of WV Grown, visit West Virginia Grown : West Virginia Department of Agriculture .

WV Grown is the premiere branding program for agricultural products in West Virginia. By placing the West Virginia Grown logo on a product, buyers are assured that the product was grown or processed, with quality ingredients, in the Mountain State.

Agricultural Resources Farm Service Agency (FSA) USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies. This web site will provide the address of a USDA Service Center and other Agency offices serving your area along with information on how to contact them.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters.

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

West Virginia Conservation Agency To provide for and promote the protection and conservation of West Virginia's soil, land, water and related resources for the health, safety and general welfare of the state's citizens. Agricultural Enhancement Program (AgEP) The program offers technical and financial assistance as an incentive to implement conservation best management practices.

Overall program primary objectives include the reduction of nutrients and sediment from entering the waters within the State and increasing farm profitability and sustainability. Veteran Resources Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) We cultivate a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develop viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities.

We believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems. We believe that agriculture offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits. Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching.

The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, and $3. 5 million has been awarded to veterans since 2011.

Patriot Guardens aligns resources to facilitate agricultural economic development and employment opportunities for WV veterans, WVNG members and citizens. PatriotGuardensOffice@gmail. com Operation Welcome Home is a Veterans Job Placement Facility at Mylan Park in Morgantown, WV.

We serve the North Central West Virginia population of Veterans by providing services and support that cannot be found anywhere else in our Region. WVU Center for Veteran, Military and Family Programs We are here to assist our military-connected students in achieving academic, personal, and professional success through their educational benefits and activities that promote learning and wellbeing.

Armed to Farm is a sustainable agriculture training program for military veterans. The National Center for Appropriate Technology, a national nonprofit organization based in Butte, Montana, developed Armed to Farm through a cooperative agreement with USDA-Rural Development. Since launching in 2013, Armed to Farm has supported more than 800 veterans from 45 states with hands-on and classroom learning opportunities.

Farmer veterans learn how to make a business plan and market their products, how to access USDA programs, set business goals, and develop mentorships with seasoned farmers. The National AgrAbility Project is committed to helping military veterans who choose agriculture as their "Next Mission," as well as beginning farmers with disabilities or other functional limitations .

WV Department of Veterans Assistance The West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance is a cabinet-level agency dedicated to providing services and benefits assistance to veterans. The department’s work brings in $2 Billion of federal benefits per year to West Virginia veterans. The department operates 16 field and claims offices throughout the state, with staff members conducting more than 250 benefits consultations daily.

Additionally, the department operates West Virginia’s State veterans cemetery, veterans-only homeless shelter and veterans nursing facility.

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