Veterans Outreach Event in Coos County

The Coos County Small and Beginner Farmers Chapter, along with the Warriors at 45 North veterans service organization, hosted a veterans outreach event for a group of female veterans. A special thanks is owed to Sandy and Jim Davis of American Way Farm for hosting the event. During the event the veterans were introduced to the realities of running a farm and got a chance to have personal interaction with the farm's livestock and livestock guard dogs. They enjoyed the entire event immensely. One of the group even got to milk a goat. After getting a farm tour and briefing on its operation they were treated to lunch.

During lunch they had a wide ranging discussion of topics relating to farming and the beneficial effects that farming has for disabled veterans. We covered support available to farmers from the USDA as well as special USDA programs for veterans. All of the veterans greatly enjoyed their visit to the farm with the veterans expressing many positive comments about the event. Our county chapter is currently working with the Warriors at 45 North to identify other veterans outreach events.

Overall this event was beneficial to both the veterans and the members of our chapter that participated in the event. We both came away from it better than we went into it and found the interaction between farmers and veterans very uplifting to both parties.