Embarking on a farming journey after military service can be both exciting and challenging. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is here to offer support, specifically for those who served in the Armed Forces and are diving into agriculture. Let's break down who exactly is considered a "Veteran Farmer" (VFR) according to the USDA, and explore how eligibility criteria may differ across USDA agencies.

Meet Peter - A Not-Quite Veteran Farmer:

Meet Pete, a seasoned veteran who completed his active duty back in 1999. While Peter has a rich history of military service, he falls just outside the USDA's criteria for a Veteran Farmer. The USDA defines VFRs as individuals who engaged in farming for no more than 10 years and obtained veteran status within the most recent 10-year period.

Eligibility Criteria Across USDA Agencies:

Here's where it gets interesting. The USDA, through agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA), has specific criteria for determining who qualifies as a Veteran Farmer, and these criteria can differ.

• NRCS and FSA Criteria: An individual qualifies as a VFR if they have served in the armed forces, were released under conditions other than dishonorable, and either qualifies as a beginning farmer or rancher (BFR) or first obtained veteran status during the last 10 years.

• Risk Management Agency (RMA) Criteria: Similarly, for crop insurance purposes, an individual qualifies as a VFR if they have served in the armed forces, were released under conditions other than dishonorable, and first obtained veteran status during the last 5 years.

  Ownership in Legal Entities:

  The USDA also acknowledges legal entities or operations where at least 50 percent ownership is held by VFR individuals. For FSA Farm Loan Programs, the majority of the entity must be owned by VFR individuals, with an exception for married couples, where just one of the spouses must be a VFR.

For newcomers in the farming world, understanding the USDA's definition of a Veteran Farmer is key to accessing the right support. While someone like Pete might not qualify as a VFR for certain programs, there are still various resources available to help him on his farming journey. As the agricultural community continues to evolve, the USDA remains committed to assisting all veterans transitioning into this rewarding field, tailoring support through different agencies to cater to their unique needs.

Follow the link below get your free copy of Historically Underserved Farmer Guide from USDA:

https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/farmersgov-historically- underserved-factsheet-07-20-2022.pdf