Agricultural workshop for military, others slated for May 20 in Killeen

Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contacts: Erin Pilosi-Kimbrough, 979-847-6185, empilosi@ag.tamu.edu

Makenzie McLaurin, 979-862-1913, makenzie.mclaurin@ag.tamu.edu

KILLEEN — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in cooperation with the Texas AgrAbility Project and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will present an agricultural  workshop May 20 in Killeen.

The workshop, From Battleground to Breaking Ground: A Transformational Journey, is designed for active duty and veteran military service members but is open to others, coordinators said.

Lunch, sponsored by Capital Farm Credit, is included.

The program will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Building 150 – Science of Central Texas College, 150 Bell Tower Drive.

 

“This workshop gives current and former military with or without disabilities interested in farming or ranching the opportunity to get information on starting, developing and funding an agricultural business,” said Dr. Cheryl Grenwelge, AgriLife Extension specialist in disability transition – family and community health, College Station.

Grenwelge said beginning farmers and ranchers, women and small-acreage landowners are also welcome to attend and can benefit from the workshop information.

Presentations will address how to develop an agricultural business plan, starting an agricultural business, possibilities and options for farming or ranching with a disability, and sources of funding for an agricultural enterprise. There will also be a presentations about the Farmer Veteran Coalition as well as a presentation by a military veteran currently involved in production agriculture.

The workshop will also include a panel discussion on agricultural operation funding resources and opportunities.

“Texas AgrAbility focuses on connecting, assisting and empowering agricultural producers, their family members and employees with disabilities and chronic health conditions to stay engaged in production agriculture,” said Erin Pilosi-Kimbrough, AgriLife Extension coordinator for family and community health, College Station.

She said the program was developed with input from AgriLife Extension, AgrAbility, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the National Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farm Service Agency, USDA Risk Management and Texas Department of Agriculture.

To ensure adequate space, attendees should RSVP by registering online and in advance at http://txagrability.tamu.edu/workshops/.

A form can also be downloaded and mailed to either Pilosi-Kimbrough or Makenzie McLaurin at 2251 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2251.

For more information, go to the website or contact Pilosi-Kimbrough at 979-847-6185, empilosi@ag.tamu.edu; or McLaurin at 979-862-1913, makenzie.mclaurin@ag.tamu.edu.

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