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 proposed agvet project…

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 proposed agvet project addresses the need for a new generation of farmers and ranchers by providing returning veterans educational opportunities that will equip them with knowledge and skills necessary for successful agricultural-related careers. Participating veterans will complete an evidence-based orientation curriculum to enhance job readiness, followed by supervised internships at collaborating farms and agribusinesses. Collaborators will provide comprehansive, hands-on training aligned with the participant's personal interests and goals. The project will be managed by hoosier uplands economic development corporation located in rural mitchell, in. This organization has been one of the state's leading community action agencies for over five decades, providing social services to an exonomicdally distressed region. Hoosier uplands will partner with the nationally-recognized agrability program at purdue university in west lafayette, in to develop and deliver educational and training services, provide worksite accommodations due to disabilities, and assist with mentoring and job coaching for interns. Purdue will offer 11 regional agricultural research farms as internship sites, providing an array of agricultural enterprises including beef, dairy; sheep, swine, row crop, vegetable, fruit and timber production. Participants will be recruited primarily from over 400 veterans associated with indiana's farmer veteran coalition, along with veteran clientele of the agrability project network in surrounding state. The fundamental measure of success of the project will be the number of veterans recruited for the program who become gainfully employed in the food and agriculture sector.