By Andy Dahn/WJBC)
BLOOMINGTON – A number of Illinois organizations gathered Thursday to learn about Homegrown by Heroes, a program that helps military veterans pursue careers in farming and agriculture.
President of the Illinois Farm Bureau Richard Guebert Jr. said the initiative will include a variety of programs that pair veterans with volunteer organizations and experienced farmers.
“Farmer training, farmers’ market opportunities and partnerships, assisting veterans in developing value-added products,” Guebert Jr. said. “It also helps veterans foster relationships with retailers and food service organizations and makes resources available for veterans wishing to farm.”
Illinois exports nearly $9 billion of agricultural products per year. Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Philip Nelson said the program brings an endless amount of possibilities to the world of farming.
“We could either continue the traditions of the family farm,” said Nelson. “Introduce veterans and their new ideas and innovations and possibly even introduce a veteran to agriculture for the very first time. When the number of producers grow in this state, it grows our economy.”
Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti said the program steers veterans away from unemployment and offers several other benefits.
“This is a great program that helps our veterans wanting to pursue food, farming and agricultural careers,” Sanguinetti said. “It connects them with the agricultural community and will give them the tools they need to succeed.”
Certified veterans that grow and sell produce will place “Homegrown by Heroes” stickers on their products. Applications to participate in the program are available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website.
Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].
