VetFarm Network Podcast

VetFarmNetwork
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The American VetFarm Network Podcast shares conversations with veteran farmers, agricultural organizations, and partners working across farming, food systems, farm business, and sustainable agriculture. Hosted by At Ease Orchard, the podcast is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program supporting veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming or getting a beginning farm business started. Episodes include farmer stories, resource conversations, and insight on topics such as land access, funding, conservation, livestock, specialty crops, value-added agricultur

  1. Aug 12

    Put Your Farm on the Map: Connecting Customers to Local Farms with FarmScout

    Farm marketing is not something farmers figure out once and leave alone. Each year, farms need to look at how customers are finding them, whether their information is current, and what needs to be updated. Learn how FarmScout helps customers find local farms, farm products, and farm events before they visit. For farmers, the app offers a free way to create or claim a public listing, update availability, share events, and help customers understand what the farm offers. Links from this episode: FarmScout:https://farmscout.ai/ American VetFarm Network:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network VetFarm Network App:https://vetfarmnetwork.lovable.app/welcome Next Acre:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/Next-Acre Meta AI Glasses for Veterans:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/Meta-AI-Glasses-for-Veterans Farm Progress Show:https://www.farmprogressshow.com/

  2. Aug 4

    Benlauck Farm: Diversified Farming in New York

    In this episode of the American VetFarm Network Podcast, with Thane Benson of Benlauck Farm in New York. Thane is a retired Chief Petty Officer who served 24 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve Seabees, including four overseas deployments. He is also the owner-operator of a small, highly diversified farm where he grows fruit, produce, malting barley, dry beans, corn, and grains. This conversation covers Thane’s experience as a working farmer, the realities of managing a diversified operation, and some of the practices he uses on the farm, including Integrated Pest Management, cover crops, no-till, crop rotation, predatory nematodes, and buckwheat strips for pollinators and beneficial insects. The American VetFarm Network is a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by the USDA NIFA 2501 Program. Learn more at ateaseorchard.org

  3. Jul 23

    Dauntless Veteran Foundation: From the Field to the Farm

    In this episode of the American VetFarm Network Podcast, we’re joined by Leanne Babcock, Executive Director of Dauntless Veteran Foundation, for a conversation about veteran agriculture, service, and what it means to help veterans translate their talents from the field to the farm. Leanne shares more about the mission behind Dauntless, why agriculture can create purpose and connection after military service, and why preparation matters when veterans are seeking funding or planning their next step in farming. We also talk about the Dauntless Agriculture Grant, Dauntless Wine Company, and how wine tastings and winery events can serve as a gathering place for veterans, supporters, and community members who want to be part of the work. This conversation is especially helpful for veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming, building a farm business, or trying to understand what resources may be available along the way. Links Dauntless Veteran Foundation:https://dauntlessvf.org/ Dauntless Agriculture Grant:https://dauntlessvf.org/agriculture-grant-program/ Dauntless Wine Company:https://dauntlesswine.co/ American VetFarm Network:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network At Ease Orchard:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/

  4. Jul 15

    IrishMudd Farm: Building a Veteran-Owned Family Farm

    In this episode of the American VetFarm Network podcast, we’re joined by Steve and Ethel Baker of IrishMudd Farm, a veteran-owned family farm. IrishMudd Farm raises a mix of livestock and heritage breeds, including KuneKune pigs, yak, Valais sheep, poultry, and other farm animals. In this conversation, Steve and Ethel share how their farm got started, the challenges of building a farm from the ground up, how they’ve chosen enterprises that fit their family, and what they’ve learned through participating in Veterans IN Farming events. We also talk about what veterans, service members, and military families should think through before starting a farm, from infrastructure and marketing to learning from other farmers and finding the right support. The VetFarm Network offers one-on-one farm coaching and technical assistance for veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming or getting a beginning farm business started. Links IrishMudd Farm:https://irishmuddllc.com/ Veterans IN Farming:https://vetsinfarming.wildapricot.org/ American VetFarm Network:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network This episode is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by USDA NIFA 2501.

    IrishMudd Farm: Building a Veteran-Owned Family Farm

  5. Jul 3

    Veteran Support Starts in the Community

    In this episode of the American VetFarm Network podcast, we’re joined by Cheree Tham, LCSW, co-founder and Chief of Programs and Initiatives at America’s Warrior Partnership, and Bronwyn Leitch, Outreach Specialist with Indy Warrior Partnership. America’s Warrior Partnership works with communities to support veterans, their families, and caregivers before crisis occurs. Indy Warrior Partnership brings that community-based support to veterans and families in Central Indiana. In this conversation, we talk about veteran support at the community level, why connection matters, and how agricultural organizations can be better partners in helping veterans and families find the right resources. The VetFarm Network offers one-on-one farm coaching and technical assistance for veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming or getting a beginning farm business started. Join us for our next VetFarm Network Live office hours on July 9. This month’s topic is Christmas tree farming. Links America’s Warrior Partnership: https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/ Indy Warrior Partnership: https://www.indywarriorpartnership.org/ American VetFarm Network: https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network At Ease Orchard: https://www.ateaseorchard.org/ If you or someone you know needs immediate support, call or text 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. This episode is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by USDA NIFA 2501.

  6. Jul 1

    Veteran Farming in West Virginia

    Nick Dayton, Program Manager for Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, joins the American VetFarm Network podcast to talk about veteran farming, beginning farmer resources, marketing support, and small farm opportunities in West Virginia. Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture:https://agriculture.wv.gov/ag-business/veterans-and-heroes-to-agriculture/ West Virginia Department of Agriculture:https://agriculture.wv.gov/ American VetFarm Network:https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network This episode is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard, supported by USDA NIFA 2501.

  7. Jun 19

    Operation Grow: Veteran Farming Support in Alabama

    This episode of the VetFarm Network podcast looks at veteran farming in Alabama through Operation Grow, an Alabama Cooperative Extension program developed in partnership with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Operation Grow supports military veterans and their families who are interested in agriculture for health, employment, and farm business opportunities. The program focuses on training, networking, and support for veteran farms through farm-planning assistance, hands-on, on-farm, and digital learning, connections with agricultural partners, and access to farm equipment through the Operation Grow Hardware and Equipment Loan Program. Guests Chuck Michaels and Jesse Teel discuss Chuck’s path from the Air Force into horticulture, what he is learning from veteran farmers in Alabama, and how Extension-based programs can help veterans explore agriculture, build farm plans, and connect with local resources. Learn more about Operation Grow:https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/operation-grow-for-military-veterans/ The American VetFarm Network is a program of At Ease Orchard and is supported through a USDA NIFA 2501 grant.

  8. Jun 16

    Farm Credit for Veteran Farmers

    This episode of the VetFarm Network podcast explores farm loans, agricultural financing, and resources available to veteran and beginning farmers through Farm Credit Mid-America. The conversation covers financing for land, equipment, livestock, fencing, buildings, operating expenses, and other farm infrastructure, along with when to contact a lender and what information farmers should prepare. Featuring Marcus Tyler Jr., Customer Resource Manager with Farm Credit Mid-America. Find a Farm Credit Mid-America office:https://www.fcma.com/locations Join the next VetFarm Network Live! Office Hours on July 9, when we’ll be talking about Christmas tree farming:https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pYTb3Ej0QieMcRvmc0vTqA Learn more about At Ease Orchard: https://www.ateaseorchard.org/VetFarm-Network The American VetFarm Network is a program of At Ease Orchard and is supported through a USDA NIFA 2501 grant.

    Farm Credit for Veteran Farmers
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About

The American VetFarm Network Podcast shares conversations with veteran farmers, agricultural organizations, and partners working across farming, food systems, farm business, and sustainable agriculture. Hosted by At Ease Orchard, the podcast is part of the American VetFarm Network, a program supporting veterans, service members, and military families who are exploring farming or getting a beginning farm business started. Episodes include farmer stories, resource conversations, and insight on topics such as land access, funding, conservation, livestock, specialty crops, value-added agricultur

Information

  • Creator
    VetFarmNetwork
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © VetFarmNetwork
  • Show Website
    VetFarm Network Podcast