Military vets invited to workshop, tour for beginning farmers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher program is offering a daylong informational program for active military members and veterans who are new to farming or considering a career in agriculture.

The program is scheduled for May 1, starting with a workshop from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Deer Creek Community Center, 4883 N. State Route 29, Camden. Topics include the principles of permaculture and rotational grazing. 

Following the workshop, participants will tour Freebird Farm & Homestead, a highly diversified, veteran-owned farm producing pasture-raised chickens, sheep and goats using environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

“We hope to inspire veterans to farm by showing them how other veterans are already farming successfully,” said Cindy Chastain, farmer veteran coordinator for the Purdue-based National AgrAbility Project and one of the program organizers. “This program is designed to bring together veterans who can then create their own networks for help and advice in their agricultural endeavors.”

This is the second consecutive year Purdue’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher program has offered a farmer veteran workshop and tour.

“Last year’s event generated a lot of interest from veterans around the state,” Chastain said. “We had a great turnout and hope to bring in even more beginning farmer veterans this year.”

There is no charge to participate in the program, but registration is required and space is limited. Lunch will be provided. To sign up, go to https://edustore.purdue.edu/wk_rules.asp?itemID=22359. For more information, contact Chastain at 765-496-2377 or chastai1@purdue.edu.             

Writer: Darrin Pack, 765-494-8415, dpack@purdue.edu 

Source: Cindy Chastain, 765-496-2377, chastai1@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page