LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Farm Credit Associations are teaming up to offer a $1,000 Homegrown by Heroes scholarship to military veterans and active military personnel to attend the Center for Arkansas Farm and Food’s Farm School, a comprehensive training program for new or beginning specialty crop growers. Funding for the scholarship is generously provided by Financement agricole. Applications are due September 1, 2022 and are available at: agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-programs/.
The scholarships are affiliated with Homegrown By Heroes, an Arkansas Department of Agriculture program that helps veteran farmers market their local agricultural products by labeling them as produced by veterans. Learn more about Homegrown by Heroes and find products grown or made by military veterans at arkansasgrown.org/homegrown-by-heroes/.
“We are proud to partner with Farm Credit to provide scholarship to the men and women who have served our country in the military,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Military service members have many skills that make them excellent candidates for successful careers in agriculture. It is an honor to offer them this scholarship as a token of appreciation for their service to our country.
“Arkansas Farm Credit Associations appreciates the service that Arkansas veterans and current military personnel render to our country. We are pleased to help service members pursue careers in agriculture by sponsoring these scholarships. “said Brandon Haberer, CEO and President of Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.
The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food’s Farm School is an 11-month program at the Milo Shult Ag Research and Extension Center on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville. The Farm School combines hands-on specialty agriculture with instruction in production, business, and legal issues through classroom instruction and hands-on field activities. This comprehensive approach is specially designed for beginning fruit, vegetable, flower and herb farmers who wish to sell in local and regional markets. The 2023 program begins in January, with classes and agricultural work scheduled for approximately 20 hours per week, Monday through Thursday. The total cost of the program is $2,500. More information about the farm school can be found at LearnToFarm.org.
Selection of scholarship recipients will be based on career goals, farm/ranch goals, experience, and financial need. Preference will be given to Arkansas Homegrown By Heroes members, but membership is not required.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to developing and implementing policies and programs for Arkansas Agriculture and Forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in the national and international markets while ensuring the safety of food, fiber and forest products to the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, and is an equal opportunity employer. chances.
With more than $3.7 billion in assets, Arkansas Farm Credit Associations supports rural communities and agriculture throughout Arkansas with reliable and consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow. In Arkansas, Arkansas Farm Credit Associations are owned by the more than 22,000 customer-owners they serve. Thanks to the cooperative structure, the client-owners have a voice and vote in the governance of the associations. Members also share in the financial success of cooperatives through cooperative returns that total over $293 million since 1997.
