Last updated on July 26th, 2024 at 04:37 pm
Veterans Resources
Veterans have a long history of service to our country through military service. It is a sacrifice of time away from families and friends and sometimes occupation to serve and protect our freedoms. Many find the work in agriculture a form of self-healing, purpose, and self-identity upon return from active duty or training.The ecotherapy of caring for livestock and plants boosts mental health resiliency and overall wellness.
In 2017, the USDA added Producers with Military Service as a special category in the Agriculture Data Census; 370,019 agricultural producers are US veterans, and over 290,000 have spent over 10 years on their farms.
AgriSafe has a unique project dedicated to agricultural producers with military service; it is called the Veteran Farmer project. Because veterans have unique health disparities, we focus on identifying those health disparities and develop programs that assist with achieving health equity and the overall improved health and wellness of veterans.
Similar to the farmer health profile, the veteran working in agriculture may experience hearing loss, respiratory illness (acute or chronic) due to environmental exposures, musculoskeletal disorders, sleep deprivation and disorders, and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress. The hazards and exposures incurred during active duty then result in a myriad of injuries and illness. Those disparities are likely to compound with the hazards and exposures found in the work of agriculture.
We want to hear from you! Your story could help another farmer or rancher.
AgriSafe’s work in veteran’s health is generously funded in part by Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health.
Veterans Resources
Resource Library
| ID | Title | Summary | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11466 | Back Pain Can Be Attributed to Whole-Body Vibration | Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 04:56 pm An article from Successful Farming by Lisa Foust Prater…. | |
| 10569 | Consejos y trucos para dormir mejor | Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:25 pm 30 tips in Spanish for getting better sleep at night. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este recurso. English Title: Tips… | |
| 25794 | First Aid Kit Checklist for Farmers & Ranchers | This two-paged resource lists all the materials reccomended for stocking a first aid kit for farmers and ranchers! Text equivalent of the First Aid Kit Checklist for Farmers & Ranchers… | |
| 9883 | Improving the Health of Farmer Military Veterans Virtual Think Tank Results | Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:42 pm AgriSafe Network conducted a virtual Think Tank on the role that rural healthcare providers could play in the improvement of the… | |
| 8935 | Tips and Tricks for Better Sleep | Last updated on October 16th, 2024 at 03:12 pm Tips for getting better sleep at night. Text equivalent of “Tips and Tricks for Better Sleep” Spanish Title: Consejos y trucos… | |
| 17070 | Veteran Farmers: Resources and Beekeeping | Last updated on November 14th, 2023 at 10:40 am episode of Talking Total Farmer Health… | |
| 9371 | Whole Body Vibration Handout | Last updated on July 12th, 2024 at 10:54 am Resource focusing on whole body vibration – GPCAH Text equivalent of “Whole Body Vibration Handout”… |
Webinars
| Webinar Title | Summary | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Learning When To Put the Work Away: Finding Balance for Veteran Farmers | Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 12:29 pm Often times it is better to hear from someone experiencing the same things, rather than someone telling you they understand what… | |
| Sleepless in America | Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 12:35 pm Summary: The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention now identifies sleep deficiency as a public health problem. Sleep affects every… |
Websites
- Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Heroes to Hives Program MSU Extension
Page updated: August 2022
