Center for Land Based Learning

Awards Issued Prior to January 20, 2025, Were Funded Under Previous Administrations and May Not Reflect the Priorities and Policies of the Current Administration. the Long-term Goal of This Project Is to Provide Comprehensive Classroom and Hands-on Agricultural Education to Military Veterans and to Connect Them With Support Services That Will Increase Their Retention in Agricultural Careers. Our Target Audience Will Include Service-disabled Veterans, Women Veterans, and Socially Disadvantaged Veterans in the State of California. We Plan to Train 54 Unique Individuals in This Population for Workforce Opportunities in Agriculture, Which Will Be Either Entrepreneurial (beginning Farmer Training Program) or Long-term Farm or Ranch Management Positions (apprenticeship Program). the Center for Land-based Learning (CLBL) Will Be the Lead Applicant and Administer the Project. CLBL Was a Sub-awardee on a Previous Agvets Grant (award # 2018-77028-28386) With the Farmer Veteran Coalition. the Current Proposed Project Was Designed Around Lessons Learned From the Previous Grant, With the Following Goals: 1) Expanded Recruitment of Veterans Into Agriculturaltraining; 2) Providing Comprehensive and Immersive Training Opportunities; and 3) Providing Culturally Competent Wrap-around Support to Address Barriers to Completion. This Project Will Train 15 Veterans to Operate Their Own Farming Businesses and Place 15 Additional Veterans Into Farm Management Apprenticeship Positions With Paid Training and Education. Twenty-four Veterans Will Participate in a Short Course Helping Them Explore a Career in Agriculture. a Team of Collaborators Will Provide Assistance With Statewide Recruitment, Including Government Agencies, and Will Also Assist Veterans Through Individual Support and Connection to Resources. Veterans Will Be Paired With Mentors, and Be Provided Financial Support to Overcome Barriers to Participation or Completion of the Program.