The next Next Acre cohort will begin in October.
Next Acre is a strategic business acceleration program for farm and food entrepreneurs who are ready to take a closer look at their business, strengthen their systems, and plan for growth.
The program guides participants through a structured process of evaluating, strengthening, and scaling their businesses. Through facilitated workshops, individualized advising, peer learning, and practical planning tools, participants develop a comprehensive Strategic Growth Roadmap and leave with a clear action plan for implementation.
Next Acre may be a good fit for farmers and food business owners who are asking questions like:
Where is my business headed next?
What systems are holding us back?
Are we ready to scale?
What needs to change before we grow?
How do we make stronger business decisions?
Participants do not just leave with ideas. The goal is to help each business owner create a clear roadmap they can use after the program ends.
Past participants have shared:
“Next Acre has really inspired me to hone in on the systems that are keeping us from moving to the next level of success. It has also given me a lot of confidence to make the necessary changes that I know will lead to real growth.”
“I’ve definitely gained perspective in my business from the program so far. It has caused me to pause and clearly think about where we are going and where we need to go from here.”
If you are a farm or food entrepreneur thinking seriously about your next stage of growth, this is a good time to learn more.
Learn more about Next Acre: https://www.ateaseorchard.org/Next-Acre
One of the most common requests I hear through American VetFarm Network is help finding farm funding.
USDA programs through FSA and NRCS are often a good place to start, but they are not the only tools available. There are also nonprofit grants, private funding opportunities, cost-share programs, and funding libraries that can help farmers find options that may fit their farm goals.
Before applying for most grants, it helps to have a few basics in place:
Where you are farming
What you plan to produce
Who your customers are
How you plan to market or sell your product
What the grant would help you accomplish
You do not need a perfect business plan, but having a simple plan will make most applications stronger. Many grants are designed to fund a specific project, not a general idea, so it helps to be clear about what you need, why it matters, and how it fits your farm.
Many grant programs also have narrow application windows. It is worth checking funding resources regularly and planning ahead so you are not trying to pull everything together at the last minute.
Here are a few places to browse:
Ambrook has a searchable farm funding library where you can filter by funding type, location, project type, and more. This link is filtered for regenerative agriculture opportunities:
https://ambrook.com/funding?tag=Regenerative
MAD Agriculture has a guide focused on government funding sources for regenerative farmers in the United States. It can be a useful reference for farmers trying to understand where public funding may fit into their farm plans.
https://stage.madagriculture.org/assets/files/sources-of-government-funding-for-regenerative-farmers-in-the-usa.pdf
Farm Aid’s Ag Funding Library includes grants, loans, and relief payment programs for farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses. It is a good place to browse current opportunities.
https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/resources-for-farmers/ag-funding-library/
Food Animal Concerns Trust, also known as FACT, offers Fund-a-Farmer grants for livestock and poultry farmers working to improve animal welfare and humane farming practices.
The next Fund-a-Farmer grant cycle is expected to open in November 2026, so this is a good one to keep on your radar if you raise livestock or poultry.
https://www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org/blog/facts-fund-a-farmer-grants-are-now-open
Grant listings are a starting point, not a guarantee of funding. Always read the eligibility requirements, check deadlines, and make sure the opportunity fits your farm’s actual goals before applying.
If you are working on a grant application and would like another set of eyes on it, I am happy to review applications or talk through whether an opportunity looks like a good fit.
— Kate VetFarm Network Project Director
Kate@ateaseorchard.com
It has been a busy month at At Ease Orchard and the incubator farms.
At Porter Farm, our recent rain barrel class was a success, with 20 people in attendance. Thank you to everyone who came out to learn more about water conservation and practical ways to support gardens and small farms. Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District also shared a fun video recap from the class on their Facebook page.
At Ease Orchard also donated 32 whole chickens to the Gathering of the Queens food pantry in Anderson, Indiana. We are grateful for the opportunity to support local food access and help get farm-raised food into the community.
We are continuing our presence at the Pendleton Farmers Market in Pendleton, Indiana. The market is also looking for more produce growers, so local farmers who are interested in another market outlet may want to reach out and learn more.
At Joe’s farm, the high tunnel is shifting into warm-season production. Cucumbers and green beans are starting to produce, and plenty of tomatoes are on the way.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support At Ease Orchard, our incubator farms, and the farmers working to grow food for their communities.
— Christina Magers Farm Manager, At Ease Orchard
It may be July, but Christmas tree season starts long before December.
For farmers thinking about adding a seasonal enterprise, Christmas trees can be an interesting option. They can fit into a diversified farm, create a strong local customer experience, and offer both wholesale and direct-to-consumer opportunities. They also require planning, land, patience, and a clear understanding of the market before planting.
That is why our July VetFarm Network Live office hours will focus on Christmas tree farming, including wholesale logistics and you-pick operations.
This session will look at Christmas trees as a farm enterprise and help participants think through some of the early questions that matter, including:
This session is for veterans, service members, military spouses, and others interested in farming, homesteading, or rural business.
You do not need to already be growing Christmas trees to attend. This is a good fit for people who are exploring farm enterprises, comparing options, or wanting to better understand what goes into this type of seasonal farm business.
VetFarm Network Live is a monthly virtual office hours session hosted by American VetFarm Network. Each month focuses on a different topic related to farming, farm business, homesteading, or rural life.
These sessions are informal and discussion-based. They are not recorded so participants can ask questions more freely.
Christmas in July: Christmas Tree Farming Office Hours Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Location: Online via Zoom
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pYTb3Ej0QieMcRvmc0vTqA
American VetFarm Network is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s 2501 Program.
There’s no shortage of advice online about farming.
Buy this tractor. Build this barn. Get these animals. Install this fencing. Start this business model. Scale quickly. Diversify immediately.
For many beginning farmers, especially veterans transitioning into agriculture, it can quickly become overwhelming — and expensive.
One of the most common conversations we hear from beginning producers is some version of: “I wish I had slowed down before spending money on that.”
Agriculture has always required hard work, patience, and problem solving, but modern farming also comes with constant pressure to scale up quickly and invest heavily from the start. Equipment, infrastructure, livestock, land improvements, and marketing all compete for attention and resources.
The truth is that many successful farms were not built overnight. They were built one project, one season, and one lesson at a time.
That idea is part of the reason we are launching:
VetFarm Network Live is a new monthly virtual gathering hosted by the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard.
These sessions are designed to be practical, welcoming, and conversational — a place for veterans and their caregivers/spouses interested in farming and homesteading to ask questions, hear real experiences, learn about resources, and connect with others exploring agriculture.
This is not intended to feel like a formal webinar or lecture series.
Instead, VetFarm Network Live is meant to create space for honest conversations around farming, beginning agriculture, homesteading, and rural entrepreneurship. Some participants may already be farming full-time. Others may still be exploring whether agriculture is the right fit for their future.
Both are welcome.
Our first session will focus on:
We’ll discuss:
The session will be hosted live on Zoom and will not be recorded, allowing participants to ask questions and participate more openly and casually.
As the American VetFarm Network grows, we also plan to continue developing:
In March 2026, the network hosted its first major in-person gathering in Indiana with strong participation from veterans, beginning farmers, agricultural educators, and partner organizations. We look forward to continuing to grow those connections nationally through both in-person and virtual opportunities.
VetFarm Network Live What Beginning Farmers Usually Overspend On
Thursday, June 11, 2026 7:00 PM Eastern Hosted Live on Zoom
Registration required: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pYTb3Ej0QieMcRvmc0vTqA
Questions? kate@ateaseorchard.com
Hosted by the American VetFarm Network, a program of At Ease Orchard.
This work is supported by the 2501 Program, project award no. GRANT14203436, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
Veterans In Farming welcomed more than 110 attendees to Indianapolis for the 2026 State Meeting, including 59 veteran farmers, along with caregivers, beginning farmers, agricultural professionals, and partner organizations committed to strengthening opportunities in agriculture for those who have served.
This year’s meeting brought together an impressive lineup of speakers, educators, and partners. Attendees heard remarks from Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Don Lamb, gained perspective from regenerative agriculture author John Klar, and learned from specialists representing Purdue Extension, National AgrAbility Project, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, USDA NRCS, Hoosier Uplands / Indiana AgVets, Indy Warrior Partnership, Solace Operations Group, and other valued partners.
Across approximately 17 educational sessions, members explored a wide range of practical agricultural topics, including: • farm business planning and profitability • USDA conservation and cost share opportunities • regenerative agriculture and resilient production systems • permaculture and gardening systems • cut flower production and specialty crop opportunities • beekeeping and pollinator education • forestry and woodlot management • profitable livestock systems for smaller acreages • food preservation and value added opportunities • veteran peer to peer learning and shared experience
The meeting also created valuable time for veteran producers to connect directly with one another, exchange ideas, build relationships, and continue conversations around opportunities and challenges facing today’s farms.
Veterans In Farming continues to hear strong interest from members in: • more hands on workshops and demonstrations • additional farm tours • practical business education and enterprise planning • livestock production and grazing systems • regenerative agriculture practices • direct to consumer marketing opportunities • USDA program navigation and conservation resources • more frequent opportunities for veteran producers to connect year round
That feedback matters and will help shape future programming.
Veterans In Farming is committed to building educational opportunities that are useful, relevant, and grounded in the realities of operating a farm business today. We appreciate everyone who attended, shared their knowledge, and helped make this year’s State Meeting such a strong success.
If you attended and have ideas for next year’s meeting, we would love to hear from you.
Veterans In Farming is excited to spotlight a new opportunity for veteran producers looking to grow their farm business, connect directly with customers, and become part of a growing local food community.
The Veterans In Farming Open Farmers Market, hosted at VFW Post 6978 in New Whiteland, Indiana, creates a welcoming space for veteran farmers, homesteaders, and agricultural entrepreneurs to market their products while building meaningful community connections.
For many small farms, access to reliable markets is one of the most important pieces of long term success. Opportunities like this allow veteran producers to sell locally, test new products, strengthen their brand, and build direct relationships with customers who value fresh, locally produced goods.
The market is located at:
215 N US Highway 31 New Whiteland, Indiana 46184
Market Schedule Thursday evenings | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM Every other Saturday | 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Veterans In Farming member John Antill is helping lead this effort and welcomes interest from veteran producers who may want to participate, connect, or learn more.
For vendor or market information: John Antill 256-541-1229
As we prepare for the upcoming Veterans IN Farming Indiana State Meeting, we’re looking forward to starting the weekend with a relaxed and welcoming evening.
On Friday, March 27, attendees are invited to join us for a casual Welcome Gathering at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel. This informal evening is designed to give people a chance to connect ahead of a full day of programming.
Whether you’re traveling in from across the state or just arriving from nearby, the Welcome Gathering offers an opportunity to settle in, meet fellow attendees, and begin building connections before the meeting officially begins.
This gathering is intentionally low-key. There is no formal program or agenda—just time to visit, catch up with familiar faces, and meet others who share an interest in agriculture, food systems, and rural communities. For many, these conversations are just as valuable as the sessions themselves.
Light appetizers will be available, and the hotel bar will offer beverages for purchase. Guests are welcome to stop by at any point during the evening, making it easy to participate regardless of travel schedules.
Events like this help set the tone for the State Meeting by creating space for meaningful, peer-to-peer connection. Whether you’re a veteran farmer, beginning grower, first responder, or simply exploring agriculture, we hope you’ll join us.
We look forward to welcoming you in Indianapolis and kicking off a strong and connected weekend together.
Many veteran farmers are doing great work producing high-quality food and agricultural products—but building a successful farm business also means figuring out marketing, pricing, and how to reach the right customers.
That’s where a new program called Next Acre: Veteran Farm Business Accelerator comes in.
We’re excited to share some great news with the Veterans IN Farming community. A new program called Next Acre: Veteran Farm Business Accelerator is launching to help veteran and rural-owned agricultural businesses strengthen and expand their direct-to-consumer sales. joericker@ateaseorchard.com 262-388-1261
Facilitated by At Ease Orchard, the Next Acre program will provide training and technical assistance designed to help farmers grow stronger, more sustainable farm businesses. The program will focus on helping producers expand their marketing strategies and reach more customers through direct-to-consumer sales channels.
For many veteran farmers, selling directly to customers—through farmers markets, farm stands, online sales, and other direct marketing channels—can be a powerful way to grow a farm business. However, navigating these markets often requires new skills in branding, pricing, and business strategy.
The Next Acre program will provide practical support in areas such as:
Brand development and farm storytelling
Pricing strategies and value-added products
Understanding customers and target markets
Expanding direct-to-consumer sales channels
Strategic farm business planning
This initiative is supported through the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The FMPP program supports projects that help farmers develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities.
We’re excited about what this opportunity could mean for veteran farmers and rural agricultural entrepreneurs and look forward to sharing more details as the program develops.
To learn more about the Next Acre program, visit:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/Next-Acre
Veterans IN Farming is excited to announce our upcoming Quarterly Member Muster, a virtual gathering for our members to stay connected, engaged, and informed about the work we’re doing across Indiana.
As a growing organization, our mission is to reach and serve as many Indiana veterans as possible. This meeting is an important opportunity for members to hear about upcoming events, ask questions about the year ahead, and provide input that will help shape the programs and support we offer to veterans in agriculture.
Date: February 17, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM Eastern Time Platform: Zoom (members-only)
To ensure a safe and secure meeting environment, advance registration is required. The Zoom link will not be posted publicly on Facebook or our website. This precaution helps protect our members and prevents unauthorized access.
Register through the link in our January 29th membership email. If you didn't receive it please let us know AND update your contact details through this website's portal "log in" section.
Once you register, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting. Meeting reminders will also be shared on the Veterans IN Farming Facebook page leading up to the event.
Learn about upcoming events: Stay up-to-date on opportunities to engage, volunteer, and participate.
Ask questions about the year ahead: Get clarity on programs, initiatives, and resources available to members.
Engage with your community: Help shape the direction of our organization and connect with fellow veterans in agriculture.
We encourage all members to attend and be active participants in building a strong, supportive community for Indiana veterans in farming. Your engagement makes a difference — and together, we can continue to grow our impact across the state.