Veterans in Agriculture - Planning for Success Workshop

[July 22, 2016]  The Farm Service Agency (FSA) in partnership with the Sangamon County Farm Bureau, AgrAbility, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, will host a 1 day seminar titled, “Veterans in Agriculture-Planning for Success” in Illinois. The seminar is free and open to active duty military members, veterans and spouses with less than 10 years of experience in agriculture.

The program will consist of 1 day of in-class information on how to get started in farming, how to qualify for government programs that reward land stewardship and conservation efforts, how to pursue profitable niche markets and organic certification.

It will also include business plan development, record keeping, organic production, food safety, hoophouses, costshare, value added grants and the Homegrown by Heroes program. USDA agencies including FSA, Rural Development (RD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will present program information throughout the 1 day course. A portion of the day will be devoted to farm visits for hands-on experience at a production farm and a tour of the IDOA Farmers Market.

The Veterans in Agriculture Workshop will be held on July 28, 2016 Springfield, IL 8:00am - 4:00pm at the Sangamon County Farm Bureau - 2631 Beechler Ct., Springfield, IL.

To register or for more information, contact Mary Kirby at 217-241-6600 ext. 6880 or 217-741-8062 or by email ([e-mail]) by Monday, July 25, 2016 at NOON.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this workshop should contact Mary Kirby at 217-241-6600 ext. 6880, or by email at [e-mail], or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Questions?

Please contact Mary Kirby at the Illinois State FSA Office (217-241-6600 ext. 6880) or 217-741-8062 with questions.

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[USDA Farm Service Agency]