Thousands of service members leave the
Armed Forces each year and many of them
are seeking new career opportunities.
The United States Department of Agriculture
is stepping up to help.
Farming and agriculture is a lifestyle just like military's a lifestyle.
There are multiple
programs that assist beginning farmers
and ranchers, not only getting started
but to grow and thrive, manage the risk
and help build critical stewardship of
their resources.
There's both a huge need and a huge opportunity
for the next generation of farmers and ranchers
to come and be a part of growing the future.
Veterans in particular have a skill set
and work ethic that is directly at the
heart of what it takes to make a good
farmer or rancher.
Farmers like Navy veteran Lenny Miles Jr. carry the
responsibility for growing food which he
does on his family farm with his father
and grandfather.
If you're interested in owning or operating a farm Lenny has this to say,
It's endless possibilities where you
could go as a career in agriculture or
farming and you just feel responsible to
present good product for consumers and
compelled to take care of the land.
Farmers and ranchers understand that the land is a
resource to be protected and enhanced
Lenny uses farm loans from USDA's Farm
Service Agency and participates in the
Conservation Reserve Program and the
Conservation Reserve enhancement program
to improve wildlife habitat in erosion
control.
So with the CRP and CREP programs we take traditionally unproductive land out of farming
production and put into conservation. 
It's important to be a good steward of
land and be responsible farmer.
But Lenny isn't alone.
Other farmers have taken up the reins as farmers.
They come from occupations you wouldn't necessarily expect.
Tom and Anita Roberson both
served in the Army a combined 34 years
in the medical field. Tom worked in a
private practice for several years
before leaving the medical field for a
new kind of field.  As beginning farmers
the couple then worked on their passion
and farming and not too long after they
were operating their own farm. If you
want to get into farming
excuse that you have is yourself because
the resources are there.
The government, USDA has plenty of resources.
Those resources help farmers with getting
started and operating the day to day but
Anita stresses you have to be ready
before you start. The first thing you
want to do is have a business plan.
You have to have a starting point and
know what you want to shoot for.
Farmers and ranchers are part of the small
business fabric of America.
USDA is teamed up with SCORE, a non-profit
resource partner of the Small Business
Administration to connect farmers
ranchers and other small business owners
with free business mentors.
The small farm outreach program they
have a wonderful beginning farmer and
rancher program where they'll take you
through all the steps. Those mentors can
help you with your business plan and
establish good foundations for your
business.
There's a place for you in agriculture and USDA is here to be your partner in this exciting new adventure.
Some have already answered the call.
Come talk to us today.
