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GROW is a Program for training veterans in hydroponic/aquaponic Sustainable Agricultures with class curriculum designed by partner UF/IFAS(including formulation of a farm business plan), farm field training and community involvement. Hydroponic therapy assists in healing. GROW assists veterans in preparing themselves for a future in the sustainable agriculture industry.
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GROWa Veteran Farm Academy
within KLD Farms
Hydroponic Sustainable Agriculture Training and
More
Following are photosof this existing 1 year old hydroponic farm which gives 80% of its produce to the local
community
THE PURPOSE
The purpose of GROW is to help Veterans return The purpose of GROW is to help Veterans return to society by securing meaningful employment to society by securing meaningful employment in sustainable agriculture. This will enable them in sustainable agriculture. This will enable them to pursue the happiness they served to protect to pursue the happiness they served to protect while helping to satisfy our country's needs for while helping to satisfy our country's needs for sustainable, locally grown agriculture.sustainable, locally grown agriculture.
THE GOAL
We will train 12-18 veterans in our first year.
THE NEEDSReturning Veterans can have physical injuries as well as hidden injuries which can lead to a cascade of other troubles—unemployment, depression, substance abuse, even suicide. Sometimes the existing agencies are not able to offer them the help they need. They deserve help now.
US Dept. of Agriculture has said that the average age of the small farmer now is 55 so there is a huge and urgent need for younger replacement farmers. Veterans are excellent candidates
The majority of produce in our local grocery stores comes from other countries or far away regions of the US on trucks, trains or boats. Wouldn’t you rather protect our natural environment by purchasing locally grown produce?
Sustainable Agriculture is necessary to preserve land and crops for our children. Learn from organizations like “Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education” (SARE) which has been in existence for 25 years.
The OrganizationThe Organization
GROW is a Veteran Farm Academy GROW is a Veteran Farm Academy teaching teaching hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics and hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics and other farming knowledge and skills within other farming knowledge and skills within KLD Farm, a 501(c)3 non-profit KLD Farm, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which grew out of KLD Youth organization, which grew out of KLD Youth Foundation, established in 2002, whose Foundation, established in 2002, whose mission is to change lives by educating and mission is to change lives by educating and empowering young people, one life at a empowering young people, one life at a time. The University of Florida/IFAS Brevard time. The University of Florida/IFAS Brevard County Extension is a partner.County Extension is a partner.
Precedent Precedent
•Archi's Acres in California is a Veteran Archi's Acres in California is a Veteran Sustainable Agriculture Training(VSAT) Sustainable Agriculture Training(VSAT) facility which has 200+ graduates and facility which has 200+ graduates and has received national recognition.has received national recognition.
•Veterans Farm in Jacksonville, FL has a Veterans Farm in Jacksonville, FL has a successful veteran training program successful veteran training program promoting traditional soil farming.promoting traditional soil farming.
•Our Veteran Farm Academy in Merritt Our Veteran Farm Academy in Merritt Island, FL, using the GROW program will Island, FL, using the GROW program will continue these successful practices.continue these successful practices.
Healing Through Horticultural TherapyHealing Through Horticultural Therapy
Linda Seals, County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Brevard County states - "Empirical research shows that horticultural therapy provides numerous benefits to people including improved physical, social, psychological, and cognitive abilities. While horticultural therapy has traditionally involved landscape horticulture, hydroponics and aquaponics—both innovative methods used to grow edible crops can be used in horticultural therapy."
The GROW/KLD FacilitiesThe site is located on Merritt Island, Florida just
south of the NASA launch sites and North West of the Port of Canaveral. The newly rehabbed
facilities are situated on several acres.
Classroom Curriculum: - Approx 120 hours -
The UF/IFAS Brevard Extension is our partner
• Sustainable Agriculture
policies and
practices
• Hydroponics
• Aquaponics
• Aeroponics
• Traditional farming in Florida
• Management of Different
Markets
• Site Selection Factors
•Computer use in Farming
• Use of Solar Energy
• Emergency, safety &
maintenance procedures
• Farm Management
• Farm Ownership
• Business Plan approved by
board of local business
people
Onsite Field Training - Approx 120
hours
•Hydroponics
•Aquaponics
•Aeroponics
•Traditional soil farming
Off-Site Training – Approx 30 Hours
• Visits with local buyers and consumers
• Visits to existing farms of various types in the area
• Introduction to Bee Keeping - visit local bee keepers receive basic instruction
• Meet with local community organization & leaders and receive their advice
• Horticultural Therapy
• A local business council can begin the process of training vets to start their own farm upon approval of a Business Plan.
• The training GROW provides in the business aspect of farming prepares Veterans to manage their own business.
• They will be better prepared to deal with the business community—lenders, buyers, etc.
Benefits of GROW Training
• Established GROW farmers can help others to get started
• Higher studies in agriculture programs might be pursued
• Greater potential for employment in the field of farming and supplies. Able to perform marketing for their own venture or for others
• Greater potential for employment in the field of farming and supplies.
• Able to perform marketing for their own venture or for others
• Skills in design and consulting could be applied to other ventures
• Aquaponics could be a stand-alone, backyard business venture
The training that GROW provides qualifies veterans to help meet the nationwide need for sustainable, locally grown agriculture while developing younger farmers to join the aging farmer population.Veterans experience improved physical and mental health, increased confidence and self respect by building their business and farming skills.
