Two people riding on a UTV. They are going through a gate. A hill covered in orange, red, and yellow trees is on the horizon.

NCAT Brings Regional Emphasis to Armed to Farm Veterans’ Training  

Farmers in the Northwest Arkansas area can now apply for Armed to Farm

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will host its free Armed to Farm training with a specific focus on strengthening the local food system in the Northwest Arkansas region by supporting and encouraging its veterans who want to pursue sustainable agriculture.

Armed to Farm will take place October 28-November 1, in Fayetteville. Farmer-veterans will attend classroom sessions on business planning, marketing, accessing USDA programs, farm financial planning, and more. Participants also will travel to local farms for hands-on learning experiences in crop and livestock production.

“Armed to Farm has served more than 1,300 veterans across the country as they start or grow their own sustainable farm business, and supporting regional farmer networks is a big part of that,” said Armed to Farm Program Director Margo Hale.  “We’re eager to bring Armed to Farm back to Northwest Arkansas, where the program began, with this special emphasis on building a strong regional food system.”

Armed to Farm is a sustainable agriculture training program for military veterans. NCAT, a national nonprofit organization based in Butte, Montana, developed Armed to Farm in 2013 through a cooperative agreement with USDA-Rural Development. The first Armed to Farm training took place in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Armed to Farm trainings include an engaging blend of farm tours, hands-on activities, and interactive classroom instruction. NCAT Sustainable Agriculture specialists will teach the sessions. Staff from USDA agencies and experienced crop and livestock producers will provide additional instruction.

“There is something for everyone; it doesn’t matter what type of farming you want to get into. You will find nuggets of information that will help you further on down the road,” said Zac Vann, who attended Armed to Farm in 2016 and Armed to Farm 2.0 in 2019. Vann operates Rafter V Ozark Farms in Fayetteville.

Vann said that the fact that the trainings he attended were local to him was doubly beneficial, because he made connections with area USDA staff who could help him.

“For veterans making that transition into farming—it’s worth their time,” said Vann.

This training is for military veterans in Northwest Arkansas region, including Southwest Missouri and Eastern Oklahoma. The number of participants will be limited. One spouse or adult farm partner is welcome to attend with a veteran but must submit a separate application.

Click HERE to apply by September 23. NCAT will notify selected participants by September 27.

This training is supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Learn more about NCAT’s Armed to Farm and additional training series at ARMEDTOFARM.ORG.