MOULTRIE — Last week was particularly special for a non-profit agency at the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo. The Farmer Veteran Coalition was recognized by Howes Products, a presenter at the annual farm show in Moultrie, with induction into the Howes Hall of Fame.

“The Farmer Veteran Coalition has been instrumental in empowering veterans through agriculture, providing them with skills, resources and community they need to succeed in farming,” said Rob Howes, president of Howes Products. “Their dedication to helping veterans transition from military to civilian life through farming is truly commendable. We are honored to recognize their efforts and welcome them into the Howes Hall of Fame.”

Howes Products produces high-quality fuel additives and lubricants to enhance engine performance and longevity, especially, in diesel engines that the trucking and agriculture industries rely on. The company’s Hall of Fame honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community, industry or environment.

Howes Products Marketing Communications Manager Rich Guida said, “So we started the ‘Howes Hall of Fame’ to recognize the people, places and things that have given so much back to us as a company.”

He said that the hall of fame was started at the company’s 100th anniversary to shed light on some great organizations, including “Women in Trucking” and “Truckers Against Trafficking.”

Jeanette Lombardo, CEO of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, said, “Being inducted into the Howes Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor for our organization. It underscores the importance of our mission and the impact we are making on the lives of veteran farmers and their families across the country.”

Lombardo said the organization started in California, 15 years ago with its founder, Michael O’Gorman.

“There was a shortage of labor in the agricultural sector and he was hoping to recruit some veterans to come and work for the farmers. When he held the meeting, what showed-up was the mothers of veterans who had committed suicide,” she said.

He learned that the biggest issue with transition from the military, she said, was that the veterans were not finding a sense of purpose and she said they were still seeing an uptick in suicides at the five and six-month mark after transition.

“So when you have someone who’s been in charge of a lot of people, a lot of money and equipment in life and death situations and then they leave, not only do they miss the camaraderie but it’s like finding that new purpose that can equal that. And agriculture does that,” she said.

She added that when they were feeding people three times a day, every day, day-after-day, there’s so many challenges, which veterans like, and farmers have to work until the work is done.

“And it’s a good fit for veterans,” Lombardo said. “And they know how to overcome those hurdles and just push through.”

She said they’ve taken the US and divided it into ten regions, which matches the USDA/ERS map, and they have people who are growing the same thing as other farmers.

“If they have natural disasters like they had here, they can help each other out. They’re growing the same type of crops, they have the same trade issues. And we’ve set-up chapters in each of the states,” Lombardo said, adding that they were in the process of working with the University of Georgia to set-up a chapter in Georgia.

She said the Farmer Veteran Coalition helps veterans either start their own farms or ranches or help them into an agricultural career.

“There’s so many different areas that they can have good jobs in,” she said.

As far as starting a farm, the organization can help them with a business and crop plan and help them find capital and marketing.

“So we have our own label, it’s called ‘Homegrown By Heroes.’ So they use that when they’re in the farmer’s market and it certifies that they are a veteran and that helps them sell the product,” Lombardo said.

She said they were also working with a company to help them get direct sales to customers online and contracts with universities and hospitals.

She also said that they have a scholarship fund and, last year, they gave away $500,00 to veterans to help them buy equipment to start their own programs. She said they have a partnership with Kubota so that they can give-out five tractors per year and they have a grant to help with mental health and wellness.

“We’re going a lot with food insecurity. So, right now, there’s about 24% food insecurity at some of the military bases. Our guys like to take care of their own. So, they are trying to raise food and we’re selling it to Armed Forces YMCA to get it to the lower level enlisted,” Lombardo said.

She said they also have some large agriculture companies like Kubota come to them looking for employees like diesel mechanics and other skilled workers. They have a pilot program with Central Texas Community College and Fort Hood to get veterans certified for the skills the companies want.

“As a non-profit, we don’t have a lot of money for advertising, so winning this award and having the work that we do recognized by them means a lot for the staff and all of the volunteers,” she said.

She said having the public aware of what they do and who they are will help save a lot of veterans.

“Raising animals and growing food is very therapeutic but it also provides that purpose that they need. It’s a larger calling than, say, working security in a factory somewhere,” Lombardo said.

 

 

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