Patriot Project Helps Vets Who Want to Farm
Are you a military veteran beginning farmer or a
Farm Bureau member who is interested in mentoring
a new farmer? West Virginia Farm Bureau is now one
of four state Farm Bureaus participating in American
Farm Bureau Federation’s Patriot Project.
West Virginia, Texas, Arkansas and Indiana are
piloting the Patriot Project. The Patriot Project is
developed as a six-month program which facilitates
an educational and professional relationship between
military veteran farmers and experienced farmers.
but it is extremely important to the success of the
team. Developing a friendship is the beginning of a
strong mentorship.
If you or someone you know would like to
participate in the Farm Bureau Patriot Project, or if
you would like more information, contact Tabby at
West Virginia Farm Bureau via phone or email. (304)
472-2080 ext. 302 or [email protected].
The military veteran must have their own
resources to get started, and must apply for a
mentor online by filling out a survey at http://www.
strongruralamerica.com/patriot_project/. The military
veteran, or mentee, should be actively farming and
using their own resources to succeed. They should
be willing to learn and be open to suggestions and
primed for success.
The mentor’s role is to take interest in the military
veteran’s skills, interests and resources to guide them
toward success. The most effective mentors develop
trust and friendship with their mentee over common
bonds, and help the mentee achieve their business and
farming goals. Effective mentors listen and challenge
the mentee to think about things differently.
Both the mentor and mentee need to be flexible
and take time to schedule meetings face-to-face in
the beginning months of working together. As the
relationship progresses, emails, phone calls and
other means of communication can take the place of
physical meetings. In rural areas this can be difficult,
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24 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
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