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January 12, 2023 - Harrisburg, PA

Agriculture Secretary Announces First Recipients of Farmer Veteran Grants Through the Wolf Administration's Historic PA Farm Bill

During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bill's Farmer Veteran Grant program.

"I can't think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations," said Redding. "More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce."

This Farmer Veteran Grant program is available through the Agriculture Business Development Center which was created by the PA Farm Bill . Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations, which are offering the farmer veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital.

Speakers include:
Mimi Thomas-Brooker, PA Veteran Farming Project Executive Director
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Major General Mark J. Schindler
Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair



During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_01.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_02.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_03.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_04.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_05.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_06.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Mimi Thomas-Brooker, PA Veteran Farming Project Executive Director, joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Wed like to express our deep appreciation to Secretary Redding for his leadership in working with the General Assembly to fund these grants. This tangible financial support will make an immediate impact for our awardees; its a very visible investment that makes sense, said PA Veteran Farming Network Director Mimi Thomas-Brooker. Just as worthy of acknowledgement is the investment of time and road miles that he and the PA Department of Agriculture staff have logged visiting veteran farms across Pennsylvania, celebrating successes, listening thoughtfully, and gaining an understanding of the challenges veteran farmers face in order to inform programming including this grant program..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_07.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Mimi Thomas-Brooker, PA Veteran Farming Project Executive Director, joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Wed like to express our deep appreciation to Secretary Redding for his leadership in working with the General Assembly to fund these grants. This tangible financial support will make an immediate impact for our awardees; its a very visible investment that makes sense, said PA Veteran Farming Network Director Mimi Thomas-Brooker. Just as worthy of acknowledgement is the investment of time and road miles that he and the PA Department of Agriculture staff have logged visiting veteran farms across Pennsylvania, celebrating successes, listening thoughtfully, and gaining an understanding of the challenges veteran farmers face in order to inform programming including this grant program..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_08.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Mimi Thomas-Brooker, PA Veteran Farming Project Executive Director, joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Wed like to express our deep appreciation to Secretary Redding for his leadership in working with the General Assembly to fund these grants. This tangible financial support will make an immediate impact for our awardees; its a very visible investment that makes sense, said PA Veteran Farming Network Director Mimi Thomas-Brooker. Just as worthy of acknowledgement is the investment of time and road miles that he and the PA Department of Agriculture staff have logged visiting veteran farms across Pennsylvania, celebrating successes, listening thoughtfully, and gaining an understanding of the challenges veteran farmers face in order to inform programming including this grant program..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_09.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Mimi Thomas-Brooker, PA Veteran Farming Project Executive Director, joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Wed like to express our deep appreciation to Secretary Redding for his leadership in working with the General Assembly to fund these grants. This tangible financial support will make an immediate impact for our awardees; its a very visible investment that makes sense, said PA Veteran Farming Network Director Mimi Thomas-Brooker. Just as worthy of acknowledgement is the investment of time and road miles that he and the PA Department of Agriculture staff have logged visiting veteran farms across Pennsylvania, celebrating successes, listening thoughtfully, and gaining an understanding of the challenges veteran farmers face in order to inform programming including this grant program..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_10.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Major General Mark J. Schindler joined Secretary Russell Redding, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Congratulations to todays 11 recipients of the Force Multiplier Grants for veteran farmers. You are outstanding examples of dual service serving our country in uniform and now serving Pennsylvania communities as farmers, said MG Mark Schindler. We are thankful to Secretary Redding and the Department of Agriculture for recognizing and honoring veterans not only for their service to our country, but also for their hard work in the agricultural industry in service to all Pennsylvanians..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_11.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Major General Mark J. Schindler joined Secretary Russell Redding, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Congratulations to todays 11 recipients of the Force Multiplier Grants for veteran farmers. You are outstanding examples of dual service serving our country in uniform and now serving Pennsylvania communities as farmers, said MG Mark Schindler. We are thankful to Secretary Redding and the Department of Agriculture for recognizing and honoring veterans not only for their service to our country, but also for their hard work in the agricultural industry in service to all Pennsylvanians..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_12.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Major General Mark J. Schindler joined Secretary Russell Redding, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Congratulations to todays 11 recipients of the Force Multiplier Grants for veteran farmers. You are outstanding examples of dual service serving our country in uniform and now serving Pennsylvania communities as farmers, said MG Mark Schindler. We are thankful to Secretary Redding and the Department of Agriculture for recognizing and honoring veterans not only for their service to our country, but also for their hard work in the agricultural industry in service to all Pennsylvanians..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_13.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_14.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Major General Mark J. Schindler joined Secretary Russell Redding, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .Congratulations to todays 11 recipients of the Force Multiplier Grants for veteran farmers. You are outstanding examples of dual service serving our country in uniform and now serving Pennsylvania communities as farmers, said MG Mark Schindler. We are thankful to Secretary Redding and the Department of Agriculture for recognizing and honoring veterans not only for their service to our country, but also for their hard work in the agricultural industry in service to all Pennsylvanians..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_15.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .This Farmer Veteran Grant program is available through the Agriculture Business Development Center which was created by the PA Farm Bill. Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations, which are offering the farmer veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_16.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .This Farmer Veteran Grant program is available through the Agriculture Business Development Center which was created by the PA Farm Bill. Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations, which are offering the farmer veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_17.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .This Farmer Veteran Grant program is available through the Agriculture Business Development Center which was created by the PA Farm Bill. Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations, which are offering the farmer veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_18.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_19.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .This Farmer Veteran Grant program is available through the Agriculture Business Development Center which was created by the PA Farm Bill. Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations, which are offering the farmer veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_20.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .This Farmer Veteran Grant program is available through the Agriculture Business Development Center which was created by the PA Farm Bill. Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations, which are offering the farmer veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_21.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair joined Secretary Russell Redding, MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .This Farmer Veteran Grant program is available through the Agriculture Business Development Center which was created by the PA Farm Bill. Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations, which are offering the farmer veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_22.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> During Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program. .I cant think of a better time or place to announce these first ever PA Farm Bill Farmer Veteran Grant awards to help our veterans enhance and improve their farms and agricultural operations, said Redding. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are veterans who continue to serve their communities through agriculture. We honor these heroes and thank them for their choice to join our strong and diverse agricultural workforce..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_23.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Mimi Thomas-Brooker, PA Veteran Farming Project Executive Director, Major General Mark J. Schindler, and Rhonda Smith, PA Veteran Farming Network Board Chair with the recipients of the PA Farm Bills Farmer Veteran Grant program.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/223477_Ag_VeteranGrantAwards_ED_24.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>