Project Grant 20197702829970

THE PROGRAM, PATRIOT GUARDENS: PROVIDING PATHWAYS FOR PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING FOR MILITARY VETERANS, SEEKS TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON AND IMMERSIVE TRAINING IN LIVESTOCK AND PRODUCTION FOR VETERANS, ACTIVE AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD AND VETERAN SPOUSES OR MILITARY FAMILIES. IN ADDITION TO LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION EDUCATION, THESE POPULATIONS WOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN HANDS-ON EDUCATION IN CLASSROOM AND IN A "LAB" SETTING FOR LIVESTOCK PROCESSING IN COORDINATION WITH A LOCAL MEAT PROCESSOR CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH AN EXPANSION TO INCLUDE A LIVE ANIMAL SLAUGHTER FLOOR. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, PARTICULARLY BEEF CATTLE, HAS LONG BEEN NEAR THE TOP OF WEST VIRGINIA AGRICULTURE CASH RECEIPTS; HOWEVER IT STILL PALES IN COMPARISON TO STATES THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IN OVERALL PRODUCTION. LONG-TERM, THE PROJECT WILL SERVE TO INCREASE THE OVERALL NUMBER OF VETERAN LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS IN THE STATE, INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THESE PRODUCERS IN REGARDS TO LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, FORAGE, NUTRITION, QUALITY, MARKETING, ETC., AND TEACH HANDS-ON LIVESTOCK PROCESSING SKILLS TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE INDUSTRY OR INTERESTED IN STARTING THEIR OWN LIVESTOCK PROCESSING VENTURE. THE GOALS OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAM FALL DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH THE GOALS OF THE AGVETS FUNDING PROGRAM. WITH AN EMPHASIS IN TRAINING AND EDUCATION AND WITH THE LONG-TERM GOALS OF INCREASING PRODUCERS, LIVESTOCK AND FISH QUALITY AND ALSO A TRAINED WORKFORCE FOR PROCESSING, THE GOALS OF AGVETS ARE MET.