Texas

Texas AgrAbility completed a farm assessment at 4E farms in Kempner, just outside of Fort Hood. The farmer is a veteran and one of few who produce vegetables in the area. As a participant of the BattleGround to Breaking Ground program, he was able to complete a business plan and get education and hands-on training related to vegetable production, business management, and much more. He will also serve as a mentor for the incoming cohorts of the BattleGround program participants.

Staff members Cheryl Grenwelge and Makenzie Thomas assisted with the delivery of a tractor lift for Texas AgrAbility client Tim Barger. Mr. Barger has a cattle and hay operation and was an ag teacher at the time of his injury. He also received an ActionTrack Chair through Vocational Rehab to assist with his access to the property and to his livestock. Since working with Texas AgrAbility, he has been able to return to work as an ag teacher, the first time since his injury in 2013.

Texas AgrAbility client Chase Stanley received his Life Essentials Flatbed Lift. Chase works for a heavy equipment operating company and his employer's ag operation. The flatbed lift will allow him to access and work on the equipment and better help his employer on the farm. Check out this video of Chase accessing his excavator before working with AgrAbility here:

Farmers Assisting Returning Military (F.A.R.M.) hosted a farm tour in conjunction with the Dallas agriculture business workshop hosted by Texas AgrAbility and BattleGround to Breaking Ground. F.A.R.M. provided a tour and shared their experience farming as veterans in an urban setting. F.A.R.M. is a veteran run farm in Downtown Dallas that sells specialty crops at the Dallas Farmers Market, is an agritourism destination, and utilizes farming to benefit at-risk veterans.

Submitted by Makenzie McLaurin Thomas