Veteran Farmers Carry Service Into a New Season

A military uniform and a pair of farm boots tell different stories, but the people who have worn both carry the same sense of purpose. They get up each morning knowing others are counting on them, ready to give their best to something bigger than themselves.

As Veterans Day approaches, I’m reminded of how much we owe the men and women who have defended our freedoms. As the father of a veteran, that gratitude is personal, just as it is for every military family in our great nation. Across farm country, we also see that spirit of service at work as veterans care for the land and communities they call home.

Veterans Find a New Calling in Agriculture

According to USDA, 15% of America’s farms have at least one farmer with military experience. That is a powerful presence in our fields, pastures and rural communities. For some veterans, coming home means returning to a family farm. For others, it is an entirely new chapter. Either way, farming offers an opportunity to build a business, care for the land, and serve the community in a new way.

Veterans bring valuable experience to that work. They know how to solve problems under pressure, work as a team and keep going when the day gets difficult. Those qualities serve them well in agriculture, where plans can change without warning and there is always something new to learn.

Veteran Farmer of the Year Opens Doors for Others

For former U.S. Army Major Jim Hartman, a new chapter began with a beehive. After 10 years as a paratrooper and bomb disposal technician, including two deployments to Iraq, Jim spent another 14 years training soldiers to identify and avoid improvised explosive devices. When he returned home to North Carolina, Jim turned to beekeeping as a way to manage post-traumatic stress disorder.

That hobby grew into Secret Garden Bees. Today, Jim’s honey products reach more than 180 stores in 27 states. Jim could have stopped at building a successful business for himself. Instead, he has made his farm a place where others can get their fresh start too. He employs disabled veterans through apprenticeship programs and provides training opportunities for veterans interested in agriculture. He also shares what he has learned about resources that can help them get started.

Farm Bureau, with support from Farm Credit, recognized Jim with this year's Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. The award honors veterans who demonstrate excellence in agriculture while making a positive impact on their communities. We are honored to share Jim’s story and shine a light on the many veterans who continue to serve their neighbors through agriculture.

Supporting Veteran Farmers Beyond Veterans Day

Anyone who has started farming knows that a little guidance can save a lot of hard lessons. A neighbor’s advice or an invitation can open a door that once seemed closed. Farm Bureau members can offer that welcome. That might mean inviting a veteran to a county meeting, introducing a beginning farmer to a mentor or sharing information about training resources. Just taking time to listen and learn about someone’s goals can be the start of a meaningful connection.

Jim’s story reminds us that the good we do can grow well beyond our own fencerows. When we help one person succeed, we strengthen the whole community. This Veterans Day, I hope you will join me in thanking our veterans and military families. We are grateful for their sacrifices, the freedoms they have protected, and the leadership they continue to bring to our country and rural communities.