Homegrown by Heroes program to
help Veterans in agriculture
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[November 11, 2016]
SPRINGFIELD
- The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is aiding veterans
or current active duty service members who are interested in a
second career in our state’s number one industry, agriculture. The
Homegrown by Heroes program allows Illinois farmers, ranchers,
fishermen and producers who have served or are still serving in any
branch of the U.S. military to use a special logo on the
agricultural products they sell to the public. This special
designation sets these farmers apart in the market, allowing these
heroes' products to be visible to consumers while giving them the
chance to tell their story.
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"This statewide collaboration is intended to assist our veterans
pursuing a second career in agriculture," said Agriculture Director
Raymond Poe. "There are great job opportunities in Illinois
agriculture. If someone dreams of being a farmer, rancher, or
producer, we want to help fulfil those dreams."
"Many of the original Minutemen put aside their plows and picked up
their muskets to defend our freedom and, still today, many of
Illinois' Citizen-Soldiers are also farmers," said Maj. Gen. Richard
J. Hayes, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "This
program is a way for citizens to recognize the service of men and
women who have defended this nation and who also work the fields and
orchards to feed families in Illinois and throughout the country."
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Nov/11/images/ads/current/Martin_Farms_daily_sda_2015.png) "In the last 10 years, almost a million of our military’s servicemen
and servicewomen have come from rural communities. As these veterans
return home, they bring with them an opportunity to employ their
discipline, passion and sense of service to revitalize America’s
small farms and rural communities. We commend the Illinois
Department of Agriculture for continuing this wonderful program and
assisting our Illinois Heroes," said Illinois Department of
Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Jeffries.
The Homegrown by Heroes program is a free program for our veterans,
with an annual renewal. To be eligible for the program, the veteran
must provide proof of service, a letter of support from their
commanding officer or a designated representative, and must maintain
50-percent or greater ownership in the business/operation.
For those who qualify, the Homegrown by Heroes Illinois Product logo
can be used it to identify and market their Illinois grown and
Illinois made products on packaging, signage, websites and social
media or wherever their items are being sold.
Thanks to the Department’s partnership with various agencies and
organization, such as Illinois Farm Bureau, Farmer Veteran Coalition
(FVC), Illinois National Guard, and Illinois Veterans Affairs,
training and education also are components of the initiative, which
will make informational resources available to veterans desiring to
farm in the state.
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These programs will:
- Develop mentorships between experienced farmers and
veterans;
- Identify community land access that benefits beginning
farmers and saves municipalities’ maintenance costs;
- Locate farmers' market opportunities and partnerships;
- Assist veterans in developing value-added products;
- Foster relationships with retailers and food service
organizations.
How to Apply:
- Step 1: Register with the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC)
- Step 2: Register with the Illinois Department of
Agriculture
- Complete the Homegrown By Heroes Products Logo
Application
Veterans can provide their certificate or certification
letter from Farmer Veteran
Coalition to the IDOA as verification that they have been
certified as a veteran to
use the HBH label.
[Illinois Department of Agriculture]
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