The fourth cohort of the BattleGround to Breaking Ground and the Veteran Farmer Streamlined Eligibility pilot project completed their basic training on August 24-26, 2018.
The agriculture business workshop was hosted on Friday, August 24 with presentations covering agriculture business ideas, agriculture business planning basics, Texas AgrAbility, BattleGround to Breaking Ground, farm safety, USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Capital Farm Credit.
Jason Morgan, retired Marine and BGBG Cohort 1 graduate, was the veteran farmer speaker. He shared about his family farm, Sweet Genevieve Farm which produces grass-finished beef, pastured poultry, free range eggs. They sell direct to consumer and utilize farm tours to market their products and production methods. With his business plan, he has been able to secure funding assistance from Farmer Veteran Coalition Fellowship Funds to purchase trailers. He has also utilized the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to assist with cross fencing, rain water catchment, and livestock watering. Jason shared helpful tips on starting a sustainable farm, marketing, and utilizing outside funding to reach their farm goals.
3 members of Cohort 2 of the BattleGround to Breaking Ground Entrepreneurial Training Project graduated on August 24th. Ian Dunbar, Bill Meredith, and Rachel Mims completed 16 weeks of business planning courses, production courses, and 100 hours of hands-on training.
