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Armed to Farm: Meet Military Veterans Ag Liaison

Karus GutterThe United States Department of Agriculture has a new position — Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.

Karis Gutter is Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services and is taking on the additional role of MVA liaison, “As a Marine who served for more than six years, I clearly understand a number of the unique challenges that our veterans face transitioning from a theater or non-theater to civilian activities. One of the things that we absolutely want to do is encourage careers and professions in agriculture and farming.”

Gutter – a Mississippi native – tells Brownfield Ag News he will work with farm/veteran groups and related federal agencies, “All of those federal executive branch agencies provide resources and benefits but they may not be as skilled and as versed in agriculture as USDA. So what we’re going to do is bring all the resources of USDA to bear to make sure that we’re absolutely providing maximum resource and opportunity to our veterans.”

He says agriculture needs veterans, “When you look at the challenge that we have with access to food we’re going to need to recruit new and beginning farm and ranch resources throughout the world to help us keep pace with population growth. And, the veteran’s cadre is a critical component of that challenge in meeting those demands for USDA.”

The new position was created by the 2014 Farm Bill.

AUDIO:  Interview with Karis Gutter (8:30 mp3):

USDA – Veterans Outreach

  • Perhaps you can help me with some guidance. I live on a fixed income with social security and 30% VA compensation for a disability. I have 9 acres of desert land in Barstow, CA and wanted to access a grant to establish a biogas to permaculture sustainability project for a botanical garden. I am getting my bachelors in applied studies in laboratory science. I have the motivation to help the high desert community of San Bernadino with this premise but just lacking guidance in an unfamiliar field. Do you have upcoming grant or online training to better understand services in this topic. Any help is appreciated to problem solve.

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