ASU to host agriculture-military veterans summit
by October 3, 2017 6:27 pm 336 views
The Arkansas Farm Bureau along with Arkansas veterans, the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, the Arkansas Agriculture Department and other agriculture leaders will take part in the Veterans 4 AG Summit at Arkansas State University on Friday (Oct. 6). The summit is designed to educate and prepare military veterans for potential careers in the agriculture industry. It will be held at the Cooper Alumni Center on the ASU campus in Jonesboro.
“Agriculture is our state’s largest industry, with an economic contribution of around $20 billion a year,” Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach said. “We think our industry presents a wealth of opportunities for Arkansas’s 225,000 veterans and we’re proud to join with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Arkansas State University for this important event.”
At the summit, leaders in both agriculture and veteran affairs will participate in panel discussions focused on how to get started in agriculture and why veterans are a great fit for careers in the industry. In addition, a showcase of agriculture and veteran’s organizations will provide attendees with networking opportunities and the chance to speak to industry partners one-on-one.
Nate Todd, director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, pointed out that vets are engaged in all aspects of the state’s economy.
“Veterans come from the problem-solving culture of our military. They are self-disciplined. They are self-starters and early risers; sounds like to me they are good candidates for the farming profession,” Todd said. “We are very happy to collaborate with Secretary Ward, Dean Burcham at Arkansas State University and the Arkansas Farm Bureau on this veteran farmers’ initiative, that has its origins in the 2014 farm budget “
Ward was also pleased with the opportunity to reach vets for job and business opportunities.
“Arkansas has a large veteran population made up of individuals that are highly trained and well suited for careers in agriculture,” said Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. “Our goal with the Veterans 4 Ag Summit is to ensure that every veteran in Arkansas is aware of available resources and the many career opportunities that exist within this industry. In Arkansas we are proud of our agricultural heritage and we are proud of our military veterans, this summit brings both together.”