Supporting Farmer Veterans
Whether returning to a family operation or breaking new ground, the Farm Credit System ensures veterans have the tools and support they need to succeed.
As veterans transition to civilian life, many turn to a career in agriculture
Whether returning to a family operation or breaking new ground, the Farm Credit System ensures veterans have the tools and support they need to succeed.
While rural America accounts for around 19 percent of our nation’s population, 44 percent of those who serve our country have roots in rural communities.
With an outsized impact on rural America, Farm Credit continues to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to serving veterans as a critical part of its mission to support rural communities.
Cockeyed Farms
After retiring from active duty, farming gave Brandon Breaux a renewed purpose. Today, he and his wife Lauren harvest, batch, bottle and distribute premium elderberry, blueberry and honey products.
Farmer Veteran Coalition
The Farm Credit System proudly supports the Farmer Veteran Coalition, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans in agriculture. Through collaborative efforts, they provide crucial resources, including financial assistance, educational opportunities, and mentorship programs tailored to veterans transitioning into farming and ranching careers.
Through its partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition, the Farm Credit System underscores its commitment to supporting the men and women who have served our nation. Together, we cultivate a thriving community where veterans can find purpose and success in agriculture.
For over a decade, the Farmer Veteran Coalition has partnered with Farm Credit on a program called Homegrown by Heroes – a voluntary marketing tool available to farmer veterans. Originally developed by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Homegrown by Heroes label is administered nationally and has expanded to include more than 1,800 members, available in all fifty states and Puerto Rico.
Find and support a veteran farmer in your community today!
Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence
Recognizing the growing need for opportunities to celebrate those who have served our country and continue to do so through involvement in agriculture and their community, Farm Credit partnered with American Farm Bureau Federation to create the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence.
This honor is awarded to one veteran farmer each year who is or has served in any branch of the military and is actively involved in the agriculture sector and their community. The honoree is recognized at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention.
Ranger Cattle
Josh Eilers is a first-generation cattle rancher in Austin, Texas. Ranger Cattle is a farm-to-table operation that raises Wagyu cattle. Many of the leadership lessons Josh implements on his operation are lessons he took from his time in the U.S. Army.
Employing Veterans
Farm Credit’s commitment to farmer veterans extends beyond the farm. Many Farm Credit employees are military veterans themselves, making supporting veterans in agriculture a natural extension of their own service to our country.
Check out our careers page to learn more about job opportunities near you!
“Agriculture is the foundation of our society and an important industry, providing food security to all Americans. As a proud member of the Farm Credit team, the risk management services I provide to protect our farmers and this industry are just as important as those I provided as a soldier protecting the country from external threats.” – Peter F., a Farm Credit System employee
