Agri-Vets
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs would like to introduce to you, the Oklahoma Chapter Organizing Committee of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC).
- Col Casey Reed, Oklahoma Army National Guard
- Maj Joel Heinzeroth, US Army, Retired
- Josh Campbell, Oklahoma Extension Agency
- Meriruth Cohenour, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
- Phil Campbell, US Air Force, Retired
- Sarah Lane, OK Army National Guard Veteran
The Farmer Veteran Coalition is a national organization that promotes and supports veterans in the agricultural industry. As the state's veteran agency, in a land with deep military and agricultural roots, supporting FVC and its committee of military veterans is a natural decision! We look forward to promoting the veteran opportunities in Oklahoma!
OSU EXTENSION
Administered by the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Farmer Veteran Coalition Mission Statement:
Mobilizing Veterans to Feed America
Oklahoma is the newest chapter for the Famer Veteran Coalition organization. Oklahoma’s impressive agricultural impact spreads far beyond the state line. Ranking fourth in the nation in the number of farms, the Sooner State’s 78,000 farms cover 34.2 million acres of land, with the average farm sizing in at 438 acres.
Farmer Veteran Coalition Helps Veterans into Agriculture Careers
Mission
The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. For this target audience, “success” may be defined by many parameters, including: gainful employment in production agriculture or a related occupation; access to appropriate assistive technology needed for work and daily living activities; evidence-based information related to the treatment and rehabilitation of disabling conditions; and targeted support for family caregivers of AgrAbility customers. AgrAbility addresses a wide variety of disabling conditions in agriculture, including, but not limited to:
Arthritis
Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
Back impairments
Amputations
Brain injury
Visual impairments
Hearing impairments
Disabling diseases
Cerebral palsy
Respiratory impairments
Head injury http://www.agrability.org/
Veterans & Beginning Farmers
Click here for the new AgrAbility brochure for veterans in agriculture
Resources Specifically for Farmer Veterans
Resources for Veterans
Resources for Beginning Farmers
Additional Financial Assistance Resources for Rehabilitation and Agriculture
The National AgrAbility Project is committed to helping military veterans who choose agriculture as their “Next Mission,” as well as beginning farmers with disabilities or other functional limitations.
“As military veterans, we’re always looking for that next mission, and with farming I think that mission is to provide healthy food to our communities.” Sara Creech, U.S. Air Force veteran
If you are a veteran or beginning farmer with an interest in farming, ranching, or other agricultural careers, or you simply want to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact AgrAbility:
Cindy Chastain, Veteran Outreach Coordinator
(800) 825-4264
AgrAbility is proud to partner with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and to support the Homegrown By Heroes Program.
Resources Specifically for Farmer Veterans
Resources for Veterans
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Training & Employment (including non-farm work)
- Other Resources (including GI Bill)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- VA Caregiver Support Program
With many of today’s veterans dealing with PTSD , TBI’s, or other long-term conditions, the VA has a website highlighting support and service options available to those caring for loved ones who have served. A section of the site is dedicated to caregiver resources and programs for seriously injured post-9/11 veterans. top - VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
The Transition Assistance Program is coordinated through the VA and is a joint collaboration between the VA and the U.S. Departments of Defense and Labor. Its purpose is to help veterans make the transition from military life back into civilian life through work, life, and home. top - National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is dedicated to research and education on trauma and post traumatic stress disorder. This site outlines how to recognize PTSD and ask for help or seek help. It also discusses benefits and different forms of treatment available. top - Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen from a blow or jolt to the head or an object penetrating the brain. Polytrauma occurs when a person experiences injuries to multiple body parts and organ systems. The VA has compiled a website to explain the VA’s polytrauma/TBI system of care and provide resources and information about the conditions for caregivers. top - VA Crisis Hotline
The Veterans Crisis Line connects callers with responders from the Department of Veterans Affairs, many of whom are veterans themselves. The crisis line can be accessed by phone at 1-800-273-8255, and there are options for texting or online chat. top - Veterans Employment Services Office (VESO)
VA jobs for Vets helps veterans and transitioning service members find federal jobs. It also develops and implements innovative and comprehensive programs, procedures, and services to support federal veteran recruitment and VA retention and reintegration. top - VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
The goals of VR&E, also known as Chapter 31, are to assist with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job searching skills. The VR&E program also helps veterans with independent living arrangements and those who are severely disabled and unable to work in a traditional workplace. top
Training & Employment (including non-farm work)
- Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV)
The EBV program leverages the skills, resources, and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with service-related disabilities. top - National Labor Exchange
The National Labor Exchange (NLx) represents a unique, public-private partnership between Direct Employers (DE) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). The NLx is a robust resource for employers and state workforce agencies to connect workers with job openings. top - USAJOBS
USAJOBS.gov is the source for finding and applying to federal civilian jobs. Many federal positions offer application preference to military veterans or to military spouses. A searchable database allows job seekers to identify openings by location, job classification, security clearance, and other factors. Instruction for online job application is provided. top - United States Department of Agriculture’s Veterans’ Employment Program
The USDA Veterans Employment Program provides leadership and guidance on the employment of veterans within the USDA. This site provides links useful to veterans seeking employment in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. top - U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop Veterans Services
The Veterans and Military Transition Center section of CareerOneStop is specifically geared toward veterans transitioning to civilian careers, and helps job seekers wanting to apply jobs skill gained in the military to civilian positions. top - U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeships allow individuals to earn a salary while learning the skills necessary to succeed in high-demand careers. Employers focus their programs on high standards, instructional rigor, and quality training. This site highlights apprenticeship opportunities for a wide variety of professions. top - Feds Hire Vets
The federal government is committed to employment of veterans. This website specializes in veterans searching for jobs in the federal government and has different multimedia resources and information for veterans and those in transition. top
Other Resources
- VA Post-9/11 GI Bill Information
The new GI Bill is focused on post-9/11 veterans (Iraq and Afghanistan). This VA site provides details about the education benefits available to veterans, and includes a GI Bill Comparison Tool to help veterans determine how to best use the available benefits. top - IAVA’s Veterans Education Calculator
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) supports veterans through a variety of programming and advocacy efforts. The Veterans Education Calculator allows veterans to get the best information possible and maximize benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. top - Star Behavioral Health Providers
Star Behavioral Health Providers is a resource for veterans, service members, and their families for locating behavioral health professionals with specialized training in understanding and treating military and families. It began in Indiana and is now offered in multiple states. top - Veterans Services Organization Directory
The VSO Directory lists all congressionally-chartered and other veterans service organizations recognized by the VA, along with those chartered that are not recognized by the VA. Other organizations representing the interests of American veterans that may not be chartered or recognized are listed as well. top
Resources for Beginning Farmers
