Tractor Supply Company has donated $100,000 to the Farmer Veteran Coalition Fellowship Fund. The fund provides micro-grants to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching.
This is the sixth year TSC has partnered with FVC to assist farmer veterans from all branches of service as part of its ongoing commitment to veteran causes. Through the joint initiative, the Company has provided more than $550,000 in gift cards and funding to FVC, assisting more than 350 farmer veterans nationwide.
“Whether it is part of their upbringing or a newly discovered interest, many of our nation’s military veterans find purpose and passion in farming after leaving the service,” said Colin Yankee, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at Tractor Supply and former U.S. Army captain. “As an organization that has shared in that passionate pursuit for over 85 years, and one that believes in showing the highest respect to our country and those who serve it, it is our privilege to lend these heroes a hand to help them bring their dreams of farming and ranching to life.”
The Tractor Supply Company Foundation made a $50,000 donation to FVC that benefits farmer veterans in the form of grants and through FVC programming. Tractor Supply also selected 50 veterans from all branches of the U.S. Military to receive a $1,000 Tractor Supply gift card. Recipients can use the funds to purchase items that will make a crucial difference in their farm businesses. According to FVC, commonly purchased items include ATVs, beekeeping equipment, breeding livestock, bulk feed, fencing and tractor implements.
Applicants were selected based on vision and goals for the future of their business, ability to show how an award will help grow their farm business, and community involvement, among other criteria. Highlights of this year’s recipients include:
- Christine Grover, who retired from the Army after 21 years and teamed up with her husband, who is also a veteran, to launch C&S Farms, a small apiary in Henderson, Texas. They also grow Texas native berries and grapes for jelly production.
- Navy veteran Jason Heitman struggled to find a sense of purpose in a civilian job. Today, he serves his community through Green Jeans Market Farm, a diversified vegetable farm in Schuylerville, New York, where he donates produce each week to the local food pantry and regional food hub.
- Bryant Neal is a Marine veteran who owns and operates Southern Family Homestead in East Dublin, Georgia, with a focus on regenerative agriculture. His biggest product is pastured pork, though he hopes to develop his pig-raising operation further and cultivate more land for produce.
- Army vet David Clabots operates Clabots’ Cattle Company in Gilman, Wisconsin, alongside his wife and three children. Their farm is raising eight cows for spring calving, three heifers, and one steer in the barn for show preparation. They hope to pasture 10-20 more acres of land and purchase a skid steer.
FVC is one of 10 organizations that each received $100,000 as part of Tractor Supply’s $1 million donation in support of military service members, veterans, and first responders. The company’s newly launched Hometown Heroes program honors military service members, veterans, and first responders with special benefits in TSC’s Neighbor’s Club loyalty program and Hero Holiday discounts.
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