The Tennessee AgVets Opportunities on FarmLand (TN AgVOLs) Program is a partnership of TN agricultural service providers. We aim to increase the participation of transitioning service members (TSM) and veterans into agriculture. Program activities will focus on connecting military personnel with disabilities and aspiring veteran beginning farmers with the technical assistance, education, financial support, and hands-on training needed to succeed at launching new or expanding existing agricultural businesses in TN rural communities. AgVOLs partner organizations include lead applicant non-profit Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council, The University of Tennessee (UTCFM, TN AgrAbility, UT Extension), TN State University’s TN New Farmer Academy, Fort Campbell (the largest military installation in TN), Farmer Veteran Coalition of TN (FVC TN), TN Department of Ag Home Grown by Heroes, and USDA.
Internships for Veterans and TSMs
We help veterans locate farms and ag-related businesses to intern with. If you are a veteran that is interested in agriculture and want to gain valuable, hands-on experience, then reach out and we will help you find internships to match your goals. If you are a service member preparing for separation from service, we work with the Career Skills Program to establish an ag-related internship for you.
If interested, please fill out our intake form.
Interested in Becoming a Mentorship Host Site?
Do you have a farm or ag-related business? Would you be willing to host a veteran to gain knowledge, experience, and confidence on your farm or with your business? Show your support for our veterans by becoming a Farm Mentor! Veterans are looking to conduct internships on farms throughout Tennessee.
Fill out our application and we will be in touch shortly to talk about opportunities.
Have Questions? Reach out to our Veteran Mentorship Farm Program Coordinator – Charley Jordan – charley@agvols.org – (731) 407-6654
Educational Opportunities & Scholarships
We can help you find and potentially fund the right educational opportunity for you! We work directly with UT Ag Extension and TSU Cooperative Extension as well as private vendors and non-for-profits to find the most relevant educational programs for the veteran farmer. We encourage you to reach out to your County Agent to find local educational opportunities.
Educational Opportunities that may be Available for Scholarship:
- UT Master Beef
- UT Master Small Ruminant
- UT Master Row Crop
- UT Master Nursery Producer
- UT Master Farm Manager
- UT Farming Fundamentals
- TSU’s New Farmer Academy
- UT Master Beekeeping
- UT Master Horse
- UT Master Backyard Poultry
- UT Master Commercial Poultry
- UT Master Dairy
- UT Master Gardner
- UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness
Don’t see what you want to take listed here? That’s ok! Please fill out the intake form and let us know about the class, it may qualify for a scholarship.
If interested in our Scholarship Program, please fill out our intake form.
AgVOLs Workshops
We will be hosting 2-day workshops throughout the year in East, Middle, and West Tennessee to provide hands-on training, networking, and in-person education for our veterans. These workshops will include classes pertaining to both the production and business side of farming. There will also be an additional opportunity to get one on one help with completing a business plan. Stay tuned for dates and locations!
Contact Us!
For more information please feel free to e-mail us at brice@agvols.org or check us out on Facebook at AgVols Opportunities on FarmLand!