COLLEGE STATION — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in cooperation with the Texas AgrAbility Project and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will present an agriculture workshop designed for active duty and veteran military service members May 7 in College Station.
The Battleground to Breaking Ground program May 7 in College Station will help current and former military members and others understand about farm or ranch start-up, management and financing. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Robert Burns)
The free program will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Millican Reserve, 19851 Farm-to-Market Road 2154.
The workshop, called “From Battleground to Breaking Ground: A Transformational Journey.” provides current and former military personnel the opportunity to learn about starting, developing and funding an agriculture business, said Dr. Cheryl Grenwelge, AgriLife Extension specialist in disability transition with the Texas AgrAbility Project, College Station.
“While the program is designed for current and former military, it is open to others who may benefit as well,” said Grenwelge. “New farmers and ranchers, women and small-landholder farmers and ranchers can also benefit from attending the workshop.”
Presentations will address how to develop an agriculture business plan, starting an agriculture business, possibilities and options for farming or ranching with a disability and what resources are available for funding an agricultural enterprise. They will include a presentation by a veteran who is now an area producer and will share personal experiences about starting and managing an agricultural enterprise.
“The Texas AgrAbility portion of this program focuses on assisting those with disabilities and chronic health conditions to stay engaged in production agriculture,” said Erin Pilosi-Kimbrough, program coordinator, agricultural workshops for military veterans, College Station.
The Battleground to Breaking Ground program was developed with input from AgriLife Extension, Texas AgrAbility, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farm Service Agency, USDA Risk Management and Texas Department of Agriculture.
To ensure adequate space, attendees should RSVP by registering online in advance at http://txagrability.tamu.edu/workshops/.
For more information, contact Pilosi-Kimbrough at 979-847-6185 or empilosi@ag.tamu.edu.
-30-
