Recipient Organization
AGRICENTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
7777 WALNUT GROVE RD STE 9
MEMPHIS,TN 381202196
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The purpose of the Veterans Employed in Technology and Service in Agriculture (VETS in Ag or VETSA) program is to successfully prepare U.S. military veterans for careers in the agricultural service and support sectors, which are expected to offer almost 75% of the career opportunities in agriculture over the next several years[1]. These careers involve employment with private agricultural industries as well as state and federal governmental agencies. VETSA's focus is different from most veteran training programs in agriculture that primarily prepare veterans to start farming or ranching operations and be directly involved in production. The long-term goal of the VETSA pilot program is to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills of comprehensive agricultural practices that will lead them to successful careers in the agricultural service sector, with a particular emphasis on careers requiring technical skills in computers, GIS/GPS and mechanics. The VETSA program is designed as a 12-month intensive experience with formal and informal coursework, immersive, hands-on participation in active farming and research projects or a choice of certification programs that provide valuable and marketable professional skills with a shorter time commitment. Veterans will have opportunities to participate in trade workshops and conferences, networking and post-training support. Project sites for the VETSA program include Agricenter International in Memphis, Tennessee, Lone Oaks Farm in Bolivar, Tennessee (part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture), the University of Tennessee Martin (UTM) and Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center in Spring Hill and Lewisburg, Tennessee (MTREC). This program will target three populations of veterans:V1: Veterans who are about to transition into civilian life and interested in pursuing post-secondary training in agriculture leading to an Associate's, Bachelor's, and/or Graduate degree. Veterans that qualify for the 12-month V1 program will enroll at the University of Tennessee-Martin (UTM) to take classroom or online courses. V1 veterans will be assigned to one of four locations: Agricenter International, Lone Oaks Farm, Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center and UTM, all of which have farming operations in place for teaching, research, and production. Veterans will work 10-15 hours per week under the direction of a site manager at their assigned facility. This will give them immersive experiences in the day-to-day operation of a working farm. The 12-month duration of the program gives them the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the farm production cycle.V2: Veterans who are about to transition into civilian life and interested in pursuing post secondary training in agriculture that will teach essential skills necessary to enter technical careers in agriculture that may not require an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Graduate degree. Veterans choosing the V2 component will enroll in one of the following training options: 1) Land surveying/GIS/GPS through UT Martin, 2) Tractor Mechanic Certification through CNH Industrial, 3) Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) training with FAA Certification/training in operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with Farm Space Systems or 4) Young Beginning Farmer Education with Farm Credit Mid-America. Tractor Mechanic training and Young Beginning Farmer Education will take place at the Agricenter. RPIC training will be at Lone Oaks Farm. Participants that complete the Tractor Mechanic course with CNH Industrial at their Technical Training Facility on the Agricenter campus will be able to take their certificate to any CNH Industrial Facility in North America and be eligible for employment.V3: Participants that complete the New Farmer Boot Camp and decide not to pursue further education or training will be classified as V3 veterans. They will be required to meet with the Project Evaluator before exiting the program and will have access to support resources to help with their transition. V3 veterans will be eligible for re-entry into the program via the standard application process.The need for competent professionals in agricultural support industries and agencies is clear. As the farming population continues to age and we recruit new farmers in the coming decades, having a reliable network of public and private sector support will be critical to their long-term success and the sustainability of our nation's agricultural enterprise. Given the increasingly complex technology in agriculture, there is a particular need for individuals with strong technology skills. Filling these jobs will be essential to address food security, sustainable energy, and environmental quality in the years to come.Veterans can help meet this demand by bringing their leadership and technological skills to the agriculture space and finding new "missions" at home. There is enormous potential when military veterans are connected to the agricultural industry. Rural residents account for 17% of the entire U.S. population and more than 44% of military recruits come from rural areas. People in rural areas are 20% more likely to join the military than their urban peers,[2] and many want to return to those areas when their service is completed. Careers in the agricultural service and support sectors involve skills grounded not only in science, engineering, management, and business, but also in practical and applied skillsets acquired by many veterans during their military service.One veteran interviewed by Operation Stand Down-Tennessee[3] described the return to civilian life as entering the "discomfort zone" because of the significant contrast between the structured, mission-driven environment of the military and the less structured civilian life. In a military environment, said another veteran, "you had a purpose . . . everything clicked and you were awesome at what you did. Out in the world, you don't have that same purpose." The VETSA program will give veterans an opportunity to be awesome again.[1] http://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment/[2] http://www.agweb.com/article/rural-recruits-make-up-roughly-half-of-military-naa-ashley-davenport/[3] http://osdntn.org
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The purpose of the Veterans Employed in Technology and Service in Agriculture (VETS in Ag or VETSA) program is to successfully prepare U.S. military veterans for careers in the agricultural service and support sectors, which are expected to offer almost 75% of the career opportunities in agriculture over the next several years[1]. These careers involve employment with private agricultural industries as well as state and federal governmental agencies. VETSA's focus is different from most veteran training programs in agriculture that primarily prepare veterans to start farming or ranching operations and be directly involved in production. The long-term goal of the VETSA pilot program is to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills of comprehensive agricultural practices that will lead them to successful careers in the agricultural service sector, with a particular emphasis on careers requiring technical skills in computers, GIS/GPS and mechanics.To achieve the VETSA program goals and objectives, Agricenter International will have a strong collaborative team that includes partnerships with the industrial sector (CNH Industrial, Tennessee Farmer's Co-op, CropLife America, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives), academic sector (University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture), and the nonprofit sector (Operation Stand Down Tennessee, Croplife Foundation). This combination of partners ensures that the pilot project will succeed in the important aspects of recruitment, training, and placement, as well as serving as a model that can be easily scaled to a national program.This project supports and aligns with USDA Strategic Plan Goal 1 (Enhance Rural Prosperity) in which it focuses on the idea that prosperous rural communities are those with adequate assets to fully support the well being of community members. USDA helps to strengthen rural assets by building physical, human and social, financial, and natural capital. With the primary focus of putting veterans into the pipeline for existing jobs in the agriculture service industry, the VETSA program will serve as a highly effective replicable demonstration program for how to train veterans for agricultural job opportunities that offer stability and pathways to success.The VETSA program aligns with NIFA's Action Plan Goal 7, Strategy 1, Strategy 4, which seeks "Rural prosperity/rural-urban interdependence by providing effective research, education, and extension that informs public and private decision-making in support of rural and community development." The VETSA program will provide an intensive immersive experience in agricultural and/or food sciences, research, operations, and management. Upon completion of the program, VETSA participants will be highly qualified to enter existing jobs and/or create businesses in the agricultural technology and support sectors.Finally, this project aligns with NIFA's Strategic Plan Goal 1, Sub-Goal 1.7 "by providing an education and engagement program in the agricultural field that fosters a diverse workforce and supports a sustainable agriculture system." The VETSA program offers the participants myriad opportunities to become acquainted with and develop an understanding of agricultural and/or food sciences, research, operations, and management. VETSA participants will represent all populations including disabled, women, minorities, and LGBTQ, in a program that encompasses numerable focus areas that will support the development of a more vibrant, sustainable, technologically advanced rural economy.Long-term goals and the accompanying short-term goals and objectives of the proposed project are discussed below. Evaluation activity will occur throughout the project to measure progress toward expected outcomes.Long Term Goal: Increase the number of military veterans who have successful careers in agricultural technology and service sectorsShort Term Goal 1:300 potential VETSA participants will increase awareness about available opportunities available in employment, education, and entrepreneurship through VETSA.Objective 1.1: Develop and initiate web presence for the programObjective 1.2: Develop an application package, make it available in hard copy and online form and distribute to project partners.Objective 1.3: Develop a recruitment plan that will be carried out by the Recruiting Coordinator and the project's Recruiting Team.Short Term Goal 2: 200 VETSA participants will increase knowledge about the benefits and opportunities of careers in agricultural production, technology and support sectors.Objective 2.1: Develop a 2-week orientation session to be attended by all participantsShort Term Goal 3: 75% of VETSA participants will complete a 12-month program with coursework and hands-on agricultural experience or a certification/training program that will lead to future employment.Objective 3.1: Develop the curriculum for a comprehensive 12-month program that includes on-site or online courses in agriculture and hands-on experiences with farm production and agricultural research.Objective 3.2: Contract with qualified training providers to offer certification courses in multiple aspects of agricultural technology and support services.Short Term Goal 4: 75% of VETSA participants will participate in support services, networking events, and interview opportunities before exiting the program.Objective 4.1: Identify and provide interview opportunities through partner resourcesObjective 4.2: Identify and/or provide networking events to VETSA participants as part of program participationObjective 4.3: Maintain and provide access to a database of interview opportunities for VETSA participants[1] http://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment/
Project Methods
The VETSA program is designed as a 12-month intensive experience with formal and informal coursework with immersive, hands-on participation in active farming and research projects or a choice of certification programs that provide valuable and marketable professional skills with a shorter time commitment. Both pathways provide the veterans with opportunities to participate in trade workshops and conferences, networking and post-training support.Veterans that qualify for the 12-month V1 program will enroll at the University of Tennessee-Martin (UTM) to take classroom or online courses. V1 veterans will be assigned to one of four locations: Agricenter International, Lone Oaks Farm, Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center and UTM, all of which have farming operations in place for teaching, research, and production. Veterans will work 10-15 hours per week under the direction of a site manager at their assigned facility. This will give them immersive experiences in the day-to-day operation of a working farm. The 12-month duration of the program gives them the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the farm production cycle. The V1 component will be open to 5 students per session at each location, for a maximum of 45 throughout the 3-year program (15 per year). To be eligible for the V1 component, veterans must have GI Bill benefits.Veterans choosing the V2 component will enroll in one of the following training options: 1) Land surveying/GIS/GPS through UT Martin, 2) Tractor Mechanic Certification through CNH Industrial, 3) Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) training with FAA Certification/training in operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with Farm Space Systems or 4) Young Beginning Farmer Education with Farm Credit Mid-America. Tractor Mechanic training and Young Beginning Farmer Education will take place at the Agricenter. RPIC training will be at Lone Oaks Farm. Participants that complete the Tractor Mechanic course with CNH Industrial at their Technical Training Facility on the Agricenter campus will be able to take their certificate to any CNH Industrial Facility in North America and be eligible for employment.Up to 5 veterans per training course per quarter will be admitted into the V2 section of the program--a maximum of 15 per quarter or 60 per year (180 for the 3-year project period). Participants in these sections have the option of going through more than one training course as space allows.Participants that complete the New Farmer Boot Camp and decide not to pursue further education or training will be classified as V3 veterans. They will be required to meet with the Project Evaluator before exiting the program and will have access to support resources to help with their transition. V3 veterans will be eligible for re-entry into the program via the standard application process.VETSA Implementation Teams--Drawing on the expertise of the partners, implementation teams have been identified to recruit participants, help them navigate the application and enrollment processes, guide them through the program and prepare them for successful careers in agriculture through academic study, intensive immersive experiences and the attainment of formal and informal professional certifications.1. Management Team--the proposed VETSA management team consists of Dr. Ben West, UTIA, Dr. Todd Winters, UTM, Gen. John Castellaw, Farmspace Systems, Project Manager (TBD), John Butler, Agricenter International, Patricia Howard, Agricenter International (Financial Management) and Marie Branch, Agricenter International (Grant Management). The Management Team will ensure that program goals and objectives are met. Management will also make sure that funds are expended appropriately and that necessary data are provided to the third-party evaluator.2. Recruiting Team--All members of the project team will have a role in recruiting participants to the program, but the primary recruiters include the VETSA Recruiting Coordinator (TBD), SPC Johnny Dyer, UT-Martin Veteran Services, Dr. John Ricketts, TSU and staff of Operation Stand Down-Tennessee. The Recruiting Team will develop and implement an intensive recruiting plan and will become the information hub for the program. Recruitment efforts will be continuous throughout the project via local and state media outlets, the VETSA website with links to each partner's website, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, the Tennessee State Department of Veteran Affairs, social media, brochures and flyers, booths at festivals and events, personal contact with veterans organizations and county veterans offices, state and national veterans conferences, and transition offices on area military bases. The VETSA program will coordinate with the UTIA AgrAbility program, a national initiative that aids farmers and ranchers with disabilities, including disabled veterans. Tennessee State University has a HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) designation and the Recruiting Team will reach out to this school to increase minority participation in the program. The Recruiting Coordinator to be hired by the Agricenter will travel throughout Tennessee and the Mid-South Region to build relationships and introduce veterans to the program.3. Applicant Selection Team--A committee consisting of Dr. Bruce Kirksey, Agricenter International, Dr. Ron Blair, Lone Oaks Farm, SPC Johnny Dyer, UT-Martin Veteran Services, Dr. Ben West, UTIA, Dr. Todd Winters, UTM, Recruiting Coordinator (TBD), and Project Manager (TBD) will review applications and select candidates for inclusion in the program. This team will develop the program application and ensure that it is readily and easily available to the veterans in both electronic and paper form. They will receive applications to the program at designated times and will check the eligibility of the applicant. Once the participants are selected, they will be notified in writing and will receive instructions on how to proceed, based on their selected educational/training track (V1 or V2).4. Academic/Training Team--Members of the Academic/Training Team include Dr. Ben West, UTIA, Dr. Todd Winters, UTM, Dr. Joey Melhorn, UTM, Dr. John Ricketts, TSU, Gen. John Castellaw, Farmspace Systems, Dr. Bruce Kirksey, Agricenter International, Dr. Ron Blair, UTIA/Lone Oaks, Kevin Thompson, MTREC, Timothy Milosh, CNH Industrial and Scott Horner, Farm Credit Mid-America. This team will work with participants to advise them on their coursework, help them establish and reach their academic or training goals and discuss post-training opportunities. Dr. Ricketts, with his experience in curriculum development, including TSU's New Farmer Academy, will take the lead in forming the Agriculture Boot Camp for the VETSA Program.5. Support Team--the Support Team will include SPC Johnny Dyer, UT-Martin Veteran Services, the VETSA Project Manager and staff from Operation Stand Down-Tennessee. They will help the participants with enrollment at UTM, finding housing for the veterans and/or their families and connecting them with other resources (e.g. counseling) if needed. Additional services can be coordinated through the Office of Veterans Services and the Office of Disability Services on the UT Martin campus.6. Post-training Team--Members of this team include Tom Hebert, Bayard Ridge Group, Jeff Eisenberg, Rockspring Resource Solutions, Ryan King, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and Scott Horner, Farm Credit Mid-America. Not all team members will work directly with the VETSA participants, but they will support them as they complete their education and/or training and transition out of the program into additional education or training or into employment.