Posted on Sep 21, 2015
Any programs/grants available for a disabled veteran taking over a horse farm?
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First let me state I realize I am a girl with a dream. I am a Medically Retired Vet who has recently bought my family's un operational, not even animal inhabitable horse farm. This farm is located in Lancaster County Pa. The farm is in need of more than I alone can handle, especially with my Medical issues. Does anyone know of any programs that could offer assistance whether it be labor or financial? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Disabled Veterans
Retirement Disabled Veterans
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 58
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We did something similar. Retired to a ranch in WY, with horses, dairy cows, meat & dairy goats, sheep and chickens. Finding good help can be a challenge.
On the financial side check out the Farmer Veteran Collation. They offer both grants for farm related activities as well as mentoring and other support to vets transitioning to farming. They provide a avenue for companies to channel funding to veteran farmers. Have found them good to work with. We were awarded a $5000 grant from them this year to build our milking parlor and milk processing room.
http://www.farmvetco.org/
On the financial side check out the Farmer Veteran Collation. They offer both grants for farm related activities as well as mentoring and other support to vets transitioning to farming. They provide a avenue for companies to channel funding to veteran farmers. Have found them good to work with. We were awarded a $5000 grant from them this year to build our milking parlor and milk processing room.
http://www.farmvetco.org/
Home - FARMER VETERAN COALITION
Cultivating Connections. For Veterans. For Agriculture. For America. BE PART OF THE SOLUTION The 2015 Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference brings together leaders of government, agriculture, and farmer veterans to create and extend solutions to assist US military veterans establishing their careers in agriculture. LEARN MORE REGISTER Homegrown by Heroes The Homegrown By Heroes Label Helps …
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Lt Col Stephen Petzold
+ or - depending on how close to a road, if it has water, how much is hayable or plantable, etc. Out here is it hills leading up to the mountains. Land prices have remained high as investors buy up farm land.
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Go to your state website and see if there is a local(ish) small business association, and workers assistance programs. FYI, California (where I am at) has to do at least 5-10 % of its business with vet owned businesses, so check that too.
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What an awesome goal SGT Sara Hodgkiss. My close friend TSgt Grant Kohler was looking into something very similar. He may have some helpful advice for you here. Best of luck in chasing your dreams!
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Good day SGT, I stumbled upon a site at http://www.outreach.usda.gov/veterans.htm# and this site values the introducing (or reintroducing) veterans to agricultural jobs, USDA encourages their participation in rural community and economic development. There is vast amount of info there I know because even thou I was born in the city, I want to die in country.. Good Luck and let me know how I may serve you again..
Good Luck.
Eddie.
Good Luck.
Eddie.
USDA | Outreach | Information for Veterans
The Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO), created by the 2008 Farm Bill, coordinates programs and outreach across USDA for several underserved groups of farmers and ranchers. The Office is working with several states and organizations to create programs to help veterans transition to farming, ranching, and other agricultural jobs. While no federal programs exist specifically for veteran farmers and ranchers, financial and resource management...
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SrA Edward Rodriguez
One more thing, there is financial assistance for veterans that want to develop their horse farm you just have to find it there!
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I am also looking for any 4 wheel drive vechicle, that can brave the winters of PA. I have tried most Vet orgs. and they cannot help me, My jeep is on it's last legs so if anybody knows of any donation program, please let me know please email me at [login to see] thanks.
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PFC Chip Des
forgot to mention, I am stuck on SSD until I 'm of age to collect regular SS. I am an older Vet, and broke now from when a druggie totalled my car, and then I found out I had cancer, all of my credit cards went to pay for my 2 operations, and now have a bad credit record. this will have to be a donation, anybody know of any dealership that will donate any Demo? most go to Philly for auction, please let me know by email above, thanks.
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SGT Hodgkiss,
Check out these cites:
http://www.farmvetco.org ;
https://www.sba.gov/content/veteran-service-disabled-veteran-owned;
https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd
http://veteranbusinesscoalition.org;
http://www.start2farm.gov
You can also go to your local SBA Small Business Development Center and they will provide assistance with business plans and provide information about requirements for businesses. They are very helpful.
Check out these cites:
http://www.farmvetco.org ;
https://www.sba.gov/content/veteran-service-disabled-veteran-owned;
https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd
http://veteranbusinesscoalition.org;
http://www.start2farm.gov
You can also go to your local SBA Small Business Development Center and they will provide assistance with business plans and provide information about requirements for businesses. They are very helpful.
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SGT Sara Hodgkiss
Thank you for the list. I've def been getting a ton of successful research accomplished!
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Please contact your states AgrAbility project or the National AgrAbility Project. Google each one and find if you have one in PA and if not then the national. They can help.
JC
MSgt USMC (ret)
JC
MSgt USMC (ret)
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Get together with USDA, I saw an article this year that was designed for exactly. That.
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PO1 Aaron Baltosser
Anytime. I had a friend that had horses before. I love the way the smell of the horses, and the creak of the leather. Always glad to help a fellow Veteran do things to allow them to enjoy the same.
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