Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contacts: Erin Pilosi-Kimbrough, 979-847-6185, empilosi@ag.tamu.edu
Mackenzie McLaurin, 979-862-1913, makenzie.mclaurin@ag.tamu.edu
OVERTON — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in cooperation with the Texas AgrAbility Project and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will present a free agriculture workshop Jan. 21 in Overton.
Coordinators said the workshop, From Battleground to Breaking Ground: A Transformational Journey, is designed for active duty and veteran military service members but open to others.
The program will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1710 N. Farm-to-Market Road 3053.
Lunch is included and will be sponsored by Heritage Land Bank.
A free Battleground to Breaking Ground program for current and former military service members and others will be held Jan. 21 in Overton. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
“This program workshop gives current and former military with or without disabilities interested in farming or ranching the opportunity to get information on starting, developing and funding an agricultural business, said Dr. Cheryl Grenwelge, AgriLife Extension specialist in disability transition – family and community health, College Station.
“While the program is mainly for current and former military, beginning farmers and ranchers, women, and small-acreage landowners are also welcome to attend and can benefit from the workshop information,” Grenwelge said.
Presentations will address how to develop an agricultural business plan, starting an agricultural business, possibilities and options for farming or ranching with a disability, resource networking and the National Farmer Veteran Coalition. There will also be a presentation by a military veteran involved in production agriculture and a panel discussion on funding resources and opportunities.
The workshop will include a farm tour highlighting how aquaponics can be used in agricultural operations.
“Texas AgrAbility focuses on connecting, assisting and empowering agricultural producers, their family members and employees with disabilities and chronic health conditions to stay engaged in production agriculture,” said Erin Pilosi-Kimbrough, AgriLife Extension coordinator for family and community health, College Station.
She said the program was developed with input from AgriLife Extension, AgrAbility, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the 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 and in advance at http://txagrability.tamu.edu/workshops/.
A form can also be downloaded and mailed to either Pilosi-Kimbrough or Makenzie McLaurin at 578 John Kimbrough, 2251 TAMUS, College Station, Texas 77843-2251.
For more information, go to the Texas AgrAbility website or contact Pilosi at 979-847-6185 or empilosi@ag.tamu.edu, or McLaurin at 979-862-1913 or makenzie.mclaurin@ag.tamu.edu. A flyer on the program can be found at http://bit.ly/2gvfFUW.
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