From Service to Agriculture, USDA's MVAL Program Unleashes Veterans' Potential

Jun 28, 2023

The journey from military service to civilian life can be challenging for veterans, but the USDA's Military Veteran Agricultural Liaison (MVAL) program is transforming their transition by opening doors to exciting opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Through the MVAL program, veterans relate to vital resources and support offered by the USDA. Employment, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities are seamlessly integrated into veterans' lives, empowering them to thrive in farming and ranching.

In collaboration with USDA grantees, the MVAL program ensures that veterans gain access to specialized training tailored to the unique demands of farming and ranching. A prime example is the Adelante Center for Entrepreneurship in Illinois, recipient of the esteemed 2501 grant, which provides veterans, Latinos, and underserved communities with training in urban agriculture. This innovative initiative equips veterans with the skills to embark on their farming journeys, right in their local urban environments.

Similarly, Ho'ola Farms in Hilo, Hawaii, has harnessed the power of the MVAL program since 2015. With multiple USDA grants, Ho'ola Farms delivers comprehensive training and hands-on experience to veterans, first responders, their families, caregivers, and communities. These initiatives have sparked the transformation of over 100 veterans into successful farmers, nurturing their dreams and igniting the agricultural landscape.

The MVAL program serves as a beacon of hope, ensuring veterans are aware of the multitude of opportunities available in agriculture. By bridging the gap and offering unwavering support, the USDA paves the way for veterans to embark on a prosperous future in the farming and ranching industry.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.