WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) introduced the Ag Vets Act. This bipartisan bill will codify an existing Ag Vets program to direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to prepare veterans for entering the farming and ranching industries.
“Food security is national security,” said Congressman Van Orden. “Given the previous nature of their service, our veterans are exceptionally equipped to handle that responsibility. We must support the hardworking men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces in their transition to becoming hardworking members of society, as well as our farmers and ranchers who are in constant need of dedicated workers to keep the world fed and fueled. By providing grants for veterans to learn the necessary skills to work in the agricultural industry, we are taking care of some of the most pressing challenges for two of the greatest contributors to the success of our nation.”
“As veterans seek to transition from military service to civilian life, it’s important to make available the necessary training for successful careers in agriculture,” said Congressman Davis. “With an agriculture workforce shortage, veterans possess valuable skills that can be transferred to this field. By training veterans for careers in agriculture, we can ensure a continued supply of food and clothing for the American people and beyond.”
Specifically, the Ag Vets Act will require recipients that receive the grant to provide:
- Training and classroom education aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of farm and ranch business operations and management practices;
- Curriculum that veteran farmers and ranchers can adopt to help manage their enterprise;
- Education, workshops, tours, and instructor-supervised field experiences; or
- Support any other activity, as identified by the Secretary, to increase the number of military veterans pursuing knowledge and skills development in agriculture.
To read the full bill, click here.
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