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The BattleGround to Breaking Ground Program (BGBG) is a training program that consists of several Program Tracks developed for active duty military, military veterans, their families, and the general public who are new / beginning farmers and ranchers to assist them in starting or enhancing a production agriculture business. The program offers online business planning courses, hands-on training and mentoring, and online agriculture production courses for the Skills Training Program, Traditional Program, and Condensed Programs. It also has Tracks that offer an introduction to agriculture type workshops through the Introduction to Agriculture Business online course and the in-person Introduction to Production Agriculture Boot Camp.
The mission of this program is to increase the number of beginning farmers and ranchers in the U.S. and enhance their enterprise sustainability through an innovative, holistic model for education, training, technical assistance, and outreach; thus, reducing self-employment barriers for veterans and others (particularly those with disabilities) to enter and remain in production agriculture. One of the unique and innovative aspects of the project is that it addresses not only the educational needs of beginning farmers and ranchers, but also offers a professional learning community that provides ongoing beginning farmer business development and ag-specific technical guidance, access to farm management and production expertise, and potential linkage to land opportunities.
Basic details of each Program Track is listed below.
Introduction to Agriculture Business
The Introduction to Agriculture Business Online Course is encouraged before applying to the Traditional or Condensed Program but not required.
Online Course
- This online course helps participants understand introductory farm and ranch concepts, business planning, and training programs. It includes a session, conducted with military veteran farmers and ranchers, that provides best practices for navigating barriers to becoming successful agricultural producers. Participants will also view a session about additional training programs.
- Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be provided with a certificate that can be used to verify training hours in agriculture to enhance their eligibility for agriculture-related funding sources. Successful completion will also increase participant’s chances of submitting a successful application for the tuition waiver for the BattleGround to Breaking Ground Traditional Program.
Introduction to Production Agriculture Boot Camp
In-person Course
- Developed for those with limited agriculture experience, this event will provide participants with knowledge of essential agricultural production concepts and prepare them to create an agriculture business plan.
- Sessions include hands-on training in:
- Farm Safety & Food Safety
- Business Planning & Business Management
- Diversification & Marketing Strategies
- Financial & Risk Management
- Agriculture rehabilitation & vocational training opportunities for veterans
- Land Management & Conservation Practices including natural resource management
- Basic Vegetable Production & Row Crop Production
- Basic Livestock Production
- Alternative & Value-Added Agriculture Enterprises
Traditional Program
Hybrid Course – 44 Weeks
- Operations, Marketing, Management, & Financial Planning
- Networking
- Introduction to Agritourism Hosting
- Wrap-around Services: Career Services, Wellness, Farming/Ranching with a Disability, Transition Services, and More
- Write your Business Plan in 13 weeks!
- 100 Hours of Hands-on Training
- Mentorship
- Agriculture Production Courses and Education
Condensed Program
Hybrid Course – 27 Weeks
- Operations, Marketing, Management, & Financial Planning
- Networking
- Introduction to Agritourism Hosting
- Wrap-around Services: Career Services, Wellness, Farming/Ranching with a Disability, Transition Services, and More
- Write your Business Plan in 13 weeks!
- 100 Hours of Hands-on Training
- Mentorship
- Agriculture Production Courses and Education
Skills Training Program
- Designed specifically for transitioning military members using Career Skills Program or DoD SkillBridge, BGBG-STP is a certificate program managed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service that provides education & training for transitioning service members who desire to go into agricultural production. The education provided enables program participants to establish gainful self-employment as an agriculture business manager or owner/operator. Cohorts are 13 weeks (89 days) in length, and participants will receive training on agriculture business planning & management and agriculture production practices.
BGBG-STP is designed specifically for transitioning military members to attend through the SkillBridge program or Career Skills Program (CSP) in their final 180 days in the military. This is open to any rank from all service branches.
Graduates of the BattleGround Program receive a Certificate of Completion, increased access to agriculture funding, and an extensive network to support their operations. Certified BGBG Mentors are additionally eligible to receive a stipend to offer hands-on training to current participants.
Mentor Training Program
- Must graduate the Traditional, Condensed, or Skills Training Program before beginning the Mentor Training Program.
- Utilizing Adult Education Techniques
- Managing Farm Safety & Liability
- Developing Individual Education Plans including Goal Setting
- Become a Certified BGBG Mentor