BLOOMINGTON – Military veterans across the state who wish to pursue a career in food, farming and agriculture have new opportunities to advance their careers through the establishment of a statewide coalition.
The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Illinois is the 10th chapter of a national nonprofit organization that cultivates a new generation of farmers and food leaders and develops viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities.
A press conference will be held to formally launch the program on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. The program will begin at 10 a.m. in the Grant Park Parlor on the sixth floor of the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. It will take place during the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.
Presentations during the program will include:
-
The connection between state coalitions and the national organization, as explained by Farmer Veterans Coalition founder Michael O’Gorman;
-
Coalition goals and hopes for the future;
-
Farmer veteran stories and testimonials;
-
Information on the statewide Homegrown By Heroes program;
-
Recognition of the Illinois Farmer Veteran Coalition Board of Directors and Advisory Board.
A micro talk will follow at noon on the sixth floor of the Palmer House Hotel.
Media are invited to attend the event. Please contact Andrea Casali, media relations specialist, IFB at 309-557-2083 or acasali@ilfb.org to register as media.
The Farmer Veterans Coalition was founded by Michael O’Gorman in 2008 and is based in Davis, California. Since its creation, the organization has entered into milestone agreements with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit Council, National Farmers Union and the National AgrAbility Project. The organization has impacted national farm policy through its work with the United States Department of Agriculture. It is the nation’s largest group supporting integrating military veterans into agriculture.
