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Veterans and Entrepreneurship

The Agriculture Community and Rural America Rely on Veterans

Track I > From Farm to Fork – Veterans in Agriculture and Agribusiness
Track II > Opportunities for Veterans in Rural Business

From Farm to Fork – Veterans in Agriculture and Agribusiness

As a veteran, you may find it challenging to determine what to do after military service, and to figure out how your experience can transfer to other career fields. USDA wants you to know that your experience and skillset can immediately and directly transfer to the field of agriculture. New and Beginning Farmers are veterans who are part of the community of beginning farmers and are therefore eligible for programs to help start – and continue – a career in farming.

Access to Capital, Land and More – USDA can help veterans transition into farming, ranching, and other agricultural opportunities by connecting you with financial, educational and training resources, and business planning support. These resources include:

USDA’s Discovery Tool can help you identify which programs might be right for you.

Opportunities for Veterans in Rural Business

For those veterans who are from rural America and chose to return home after service, or for those who choose to move to a rural area, USDA wants to help you sustain and strengthen your communities.

Rural Business – USDA offers support to entrepreneurial veterans who want to strengthen and develop your rural communities through starting or growing a business. To do this, USDA wants to empower trained leaders like you who know and love your local communities. USDA’s Rural Development is here to help with more than 40 loan, grant, and technical assistance programs that you can use to get started. These programs include support to:

  • Purchase and develop land and facilities
  • Purchase equipment and supplies
  • Refinance for job expansion
  • Finance for energy efficiency improvements

Get help with your business plan by visiting your local Veterans Business Outreach Center.

Community Development – You may choose to continue to serve as a leader in your local rural community. USDA can help you in the revival and redevelopment of your community by buying, building or improving a community facility. This support is available through USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program and can include direct loans, grants and loan guarantees, which support large projects such as hospitals, health clinics, schools, and fire houses, or other facilities that provide an essential service to the local community. These funds can be used to purchase, construct, and/or improve these types of facilities.

Want to learn more? Contact us at veterans@usda.gov.