INDIANA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a free, two-day webinar series designed to guide Native American military veterans and transitioning service members toward careers in production agriculture.
The virtual sessions will focus on USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher programs, offering insights into financial assistance, risk management, land conservation, and rural business grants tailored to help military personnel start or expand agricultural operations.
Webinar Schedule and Agenda
The two-part series will feature presentations from key agencies within the USDA, including the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Risk Management Agency (RMA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and USDA Rural Development.
Tuesday, August 11
- Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- Farm Service Agency (FSA): Overview of Farm Loan Programs, including direct and guaranteed loans tailored for beginning and veteran farmers.
- Risk Management Agency (RMA): A beginner’s guide to federal crop insurance and risk protection strategies.
Wednesday, August 12
- Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): “Regenerating Land, Empowering Veterans” — technical and financial assistance for land management and soil health.
- USDA Rural Development: Overview of Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) to help agricultural producers generate higher returns on their products.
USDA Provisions for Veteran Producers
Under federal law, military veterans enjoy dedicated set-asides, preference, and tailored incentives across USDA agencies. For instance, veterans who have operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 years qualify for special Farm Loan and Conservation provisions, while crop insurance benefits extend to those obtaining veteran status within the last five years.
Registration & Accessibility
Registration is required to attend the virtual sessions. Participants can register online through the official USDA outreach portal.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in the webinar series should contact the FSA Outreach Office by emailing fsaoutreach@usda.gov or dialing 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services.
