According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 200,000 soldiers transition out of the military each year with numerous choosing to live in rural areas. A growing number of these veterans are turning to agriculture—even those with little or no prior farming experience. Currently, an estimated 9% of U.S. farmers have served or are serving in the military, and 17% of all U.S. farms have at least one individual with military experience. Given this significant presence, it is critical that we provide military families with the tools, training, and support they need to build and maintain successful farming operations.

N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Center partnered with the Career Skills Program on Fort Bragg to provide soldiers who are transitioning out of the military the opportunity to participate in a five-week Soldier to Agriculture Program. During their time in the program, the soldiers learn about working in the agricultural industry. Various organizations and farms are featured and visited during this class to expose the participants to a wide array of agricultural enterprises. Some of the organizations include: AgSouth Farm Credit, Cumberland County Farm Service Agency, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, NC Works, Fayetteville Technical Community College, North Carolina Agromedicine Institute to name a few, and numerous local farms and agribusinesses.

As a result of the Soldiers to Agriculture program, 123 soldiers, veterans, and/or spouses have completed the course and are now better prepared to enter the agricultural industry. Based on the knowledge the soldiers gained from the classes over 83 graduates have purchased land and started raising livestock, poultry, honeybees, cut flowers, or other agriculture products. In addition, three graduates have started an apprenticeship with a local farmer, three graduates were accepted into the USDA apprenticeship program, one graduate started a cattle operation, two graduates enrolled in post-secondary education using their GI Bill, and three graduates started a homesteading operation.

County: Cumberland

Team Members: Kenny Bailey (Cumberland), Lisa Childers (Cumberland), Corey Deibel (Cumberland), Susan Johnson (Cumberland), Liz Joseph (Moore), Connor Peacock (Cumberland), Candy Underwood (Cumberland), Allen West (Cumberland)

Objective: Community Development