AgrAbility eNote banner
December 2019

Tennessee

Charlie Jordon and dog, DaggerThe TNAP team has been working hard to spread the word across the state for veterans with disabilities who want to farm. TN AgrAbility is forever grateful to Charley Jordan of Circle J Ranch in Woodlawn, TN, and the founding member of the Tennessee chapter of FVC. Charley has passionately worked to build a network of veterans who want to transition into farming. He helped build TN ag partnerships and grow the FVC of TN membership to 872 over the last four years with countless workshops, news articles, events, and field days. Charley's next mission is to focus on helping other veterans reap the benefits of agritherapy with help from experts in mental health and PTSD. He will always advocate for veterans who want to farm but will not be actively promoting FVC. THANK YOU from all your friends in TN for ALL you do to inspire other veterans to farm!


Recent Statistics for FVC of TN
FVC of TN membership numbers as of November 2019:

77 Veterans listed on Pick Tennessee; Diversified Farming

108 Homegrown by Heroes members in Tennessee


Exciting news: TN AgrAbility partnered with AgriCenter for the Veterans Employed in Technology and Service in Agriculture ( VETS in AG or VETSA) program of NIFA Ag Vets grant and was funded to start in 2020. Excerpt from grant: "The VETSA program will coordinate with the TN AgrAbility program, a national initiative that aids farmers and ranchers with disabilities, including disabled veterans." Get updates here.


TNAP presented at the "Boots to Agribusiness" workshop sponsored by the Veterans Business Outreach Program. It was amazing to see the interest in becoming an agricultural #vetrepreneur. It was a varied group of people that were beginning, experienced, or had no experience at all. The most important part was that they had a dream. Thank you to FVC of TN, UT, and TSU Extension, Tom Womack (TN Agriculture deputy commissioner), USDA agencies, Farm Credit Midsouth, Homegrown by Heroes/Pick TN Products, and the City of Clarksville Greenbelt program who spoke about their programs. The future is bright for veteran farmers in Tennessee. More workshops are planned for 2020.


Marissa Buchanan, an AgrAbility client and a Farmer Veteran Coalition of TN member from McMinn County, lost her barn and many animals due to an incubator fire. There is currently no shelter for her animals. Her goats are wearing sweaters to stay warm in the cold. Her insurance is only for her house: her barn and animals were not covered. Marissa is working to use beekeeping to support veterans with PTSD. She wants to help others, but right now, she also needs help. All are invited to show support for this farmer who lost her barn to fire.
Here is her GoFundMe site.


November was national COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) month. Dr. Deborah Reed, TN/KY Extension ag nurse, says that cold air can play havoc with respiratory illnesses like COPD or asthma, so be sure to cover your nose and mouth when you go out. A scarf or a face gaiter (these cover the face but have holes for warming the air as you breathe) will be really helpful. Good ideas for the upcoming holiday season if you need a gift idea! Asthma attacks are more likely in the cold. If you can, try to limit your time in extreme cold. Inhaling deeply of the cold air can also bring on a respiratory attack, so pace yourself out there! (from "Protecting Your Health & Safety As The Years Go By" webinar; Farm Safety Health & Wellness Initiative of VA Cooperative Extension)

Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project (TNAP)