A starting point for veterans exploring farming, ranching, homesteading, and agricultural business.
The American VetFarm Network Field Guide brings together agricultural resources, training opportunities, funding information, partner organizations, and tools that may be useful to veterans building a life in agriculture.
This guide will continue to grow over time. If you are not sure where to begin, or if you are looking for resources specific to your farm goals, location, or stage of development, please reach out.
Use this page as a starting point. Some resources are national, while others may be state-specific, topic-specific, or best suited for certain stages of farm development.
American VetFarm Network does not operate every program listed here. We share these resources to help veterans explore options, ask better questions, and connect with organizations that may be able to help.
Watch conversations, lessons, and farm-focused content when it works for your schedule.
The VetFarm Network YouTube channel is a free on-demand learning resource for veterans interested in farming, ranching, homesteading, and agricultural business.
As the Field Guide grows, this channel will help make learning more accessible through recorded conversations, farm education, partner resources, and topics that veterans can revisit anytime.
Open a category below to explore resources by topic.
Federal agencies and programs that support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
Loans, disaster assistance, farm programs, and support for agricultural producers.
Visit Website →Conservation planning, technical assistance, and cost-share programs for land and natural resource management.
Visit Website →Loans, grants, and technical assistance for rural businesses, infrastructure, housing, and community development.
Visit Website →USDA information for veterans exploring agriculture, agribusiness, urban farming, and sustainable farming opportunities.
Visit Website →A USDA beginning farmer resource explaining farm business planning, start-up planning, and the role of a business plan when working with USDA programs.
Visit Website →Training, organizations, and tools for beginning farmers and veterans entering agriculture.
USDA-NIFA program supporting education, mentoring, outreach, and technical assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers.
Visit Website →Supports veterans in agriculture through resources, networking, and the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund.
Visit Website →Offers training programs and resources to help veterans explore farming careers and enterprises.
Visit Website →A hands-on educational program that develops new farmers and encourages entrepreneurship and job creation.
Visit Website →A tool to help estimate land purchase costs, closing costs, taxes, financing options, and related expenses.
Visit Website →A detailed beginner farmer guide with useful ideas on planning, land access, production, marketing, financing, and farm business development. Although Vermont-based, many of the concepts are helpful for beginning farmers in other states.
View Guide →Resources for resilience, mental wellbeing, crisis support, emergency support, and building a more stable farm life.
A mental wellbeing resource designed for farmers, with tools and support for managing stress, pressure, and the realities of agricultural life.
Visit Website →Free, confidential crisis support available 24/7 for anyone experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or a mental health crisis.
Visit Website →Confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. Call 988 and press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
Visit Website →Emergency resources for farmers facing crisis, financial strain, disaster impacts, or urgent farm and family needs.
Visit Website →A mix of national, veteran-focused, USDA, and Tennessee-specific funding leads. Always check current eligibility, deadlines, and geographic restrictions.
Small farm loans designed for beginning, small, and niche agricultural operations.
Visit Website →Competitive grants for research and education projects that advance sustainable agricultural practices.
Visit Website →A veteran-focused agriculture grant program for veterans and dependents seeking financial support as farmers, value-added producers, or students in agriculture. Check the site for current application windows and eligibility.
Visit Website →Grant opportunities supporting projects related to animal welfare, pasture-based livestock systems, and humane farming practices.
Visit Website →Agricultural lending and financial services for farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, agribusinesses, and rural communities.
Visit Website →A farmer innovation network connecting forward-thinking farmers with training, networking, and agricultural innovation opportunities.
Visit Website →A Tennessee cost-share program for individual agricultural producers making long-term investments in Tennessee farms and communities.
Visit Website →A Tennessee program supporting starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses, with an emphasis on projects that benefit Tennessee agriculture.
Visit Website →A competitive Tennessee cost-share program for starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and other eligible entities in Tennessee or with projects located in Tennessee.
Visit Website →A Tennessee-administered USDA program intended to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Projects must benefit the specialty crop industry and are not designed for start-ups or projects that only benefit one operation.
Visit Website →A central place to review Tennessee Department of Agriculture funding opportunities, including programs such as RFSI, specialty crop funding, and other business development opportunities as they are available.
Visit Website →Food bank and farm-to-food-bank opportunities are often state, regional, or food-bank specific. Producers should check with Tennessee food bank partners or local hunger relief organizations for current purchasing, donation, or partnership opportunities.
Visit Website →Tools for business planning, food business development, financial decisions, and farm management.
Business planning, risk management, and farm financial resources for producers.
Visit Website →A free online business planning tool from the University of Minnesota Center for Farm Financial Management.
Visit Website →A University of Tennessee farm management resource for producers working through farm business planning, financial planning, and long-term farm decision-making.
Visit Website →A University of Tennessee Extension farm management presentation on writing a farm business plan.
View Guide →Free business planning and start-up resources from SCORE, including guidance for new entrepreneurs.
Visit Website →Free mentoring, workshops, and business support for veteran entrepreneurs.
Visit Website →A tool for benchmarking farm financial metrics and understanding farm business financial health.
Visit Website →A beginner-friendly webinar from the Center for an Agricultural Economy covering early steps for starting a specialty food business.
Visit Website →Producer organizations, livestock resources, poultry education, and beekeeping tools.
Education, networking, and producer resources for pastured poultry farmers.
Visit Website →Resources on heritage breeds, genetic diversity, and breed conservation.
Visit Website →Best practices and tools for maintaining honey bee health.
Visit Website →A beekeeping education program for veterans, service members, and military families.
Visit Website →Resources for organic agriculture, regenerative practices, and self-sufficient living.
Research, education, farmer training, and resources on organic and regenerative organic agriculture.
Visit Website →Standards and resources related to regenerative organic agriculture.
Visit Website →Research, education, and advocacy for organic farmers.
Visit Website →Articles and how-to resources related to homesteading, gardening, livestock, food preservation, and self-sufficient living.
Visit Website →Events, education, videos, and resources for homesteaders and small-scale producers.
Visit Website →Hands-on learning, online education, apprenticeship pathways, and practical farm tools.
Connects visitors with organic farms for hands-on learning, cultural exchange, and experience with ecological farming practices.
Visit Website →Information on apprenticeship opportunities, including career pathways that may connect to agriculture, trades, and rural businesses.
Visit Website →Training and career preparation for veterans interested in production agriculture or agribusiness.
Visit Website →Open educational resources, including agriculture-related learning materials.
Visit Website →Online agriculture courses and learning programs covering agriculture, food systems, sustainability, and related fields.
Visit Website →Free and low-cost online courses, including agriculture, food, natural resources, sustainability, and business topics.
Visit Website →University of Vermont resources for building insulated farm storage, cold rooms, or warm rooms.
Visit Website →Low-cost, open-source tools and ideas for farmers, gardeners, and homesteaders.
Visit Website →Business, transition, and entrepreneurship resources for veterans and service members.
Free mentoring, workshops, and business support for veteran entrepreneurs.
Visit Website →Federal benefits, programs, and services for veterans.
Visit Website →Civilian work experience and training opportunities for transitioning service members during their final 180 days of service.
Visit Website →Entrepreneurship training from the U.S. Small Business Administration for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
Visit Website →The Field Guide is a starting point, but not every resource will fit every farm, location, or stage of development.
If you are a veteran exploring agriculture and would like help finding resources, training opportunities, or next steps, email: