** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MILITARY VETERANS PURSUING SUCCESSFUL CAREERS IN FOOD, AGRICULTURAL AND GREEN INDUSTRY SECTORS THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE, HANDS-ON, AND IMMERSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WAS BEGUN BY THE PROJECT TEAM IN 2019. THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE AN ONLINE CURRICULUM WITH 33 DIFFERENT CLASSES ON TOPICS RANGING FROM HORTICULTURE TO PERSONAL FINANCE, A NETWORK OF HOST FARMS THAT ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON PARTICIPANTS FOR ONE-WEEK INTERNSHIPS, AND DYNAMIC SUPPORT TO PARTICIPANTS TO HELP THEM MOVE BEYOND THE PROGRAM AND DEVELOP THEIR CAREERS. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL BE ABLE TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE PROGRAM WITH ADDITIONAL RECORDED VIRTUAL CONTENT, WITH ADDITIONAL HOST FARMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND SPECIFIC CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT BASED ON PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK. IN-PERSON EVENTS WILL INCLUDE THE ONE-WEEK APPRENTICESHIPS AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS, FARM TOURS, HANDS-ON PROJECTS, AND NETWORKING EVENTS. THROUGH THESE EVENTS, THE PROJECT TEAM HOPES TO PROMOTE A SOCIAL NETWORK OF SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA VETERAN FARMERS WHO CAN WORK TOGETHER, SHARE RESOURCES, AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT. THIS SOCIAL SUPPORT CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A VETERAN, ALONG WITH THE HEALING AND THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF AGRICULTURAL WORK. THE PROJECT TEAM IS EAGER TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT ARIZONA VETERAN FARMERS AND INCREASE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN OUR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIES.