Hi Mike,

I would be glad to help you out. I work with the Linn, Lane, Benton county Small Farms Program, and am finishing my last year at OSU for the BS in Horticulture (w/Horticulture Therapy option). My main focus is the Veteran Farmer Network, so your question was sent to me.

From what you mentioned, it sounds like the Undergraduate Organic Farming Systems Certificate would be a good fit for you. It can be taken alongside the Ag. Science BS, or on it's own.

I will include my Ag. advisors (Anne) info if you have more specific questions about the Ag. program, as well as the ecampus advisors (Sarah) info if you are strictly wanting online classes. They can help you with course planning. (Ag. Advisors info: <personal data hidden> Ecampus Advisor: <personal data hidden>)

Are you signed up for our Statewide Veteran Farmers Network through OSU Extension? If you'd like I can add you, that way you can get emails about Veteran specific upcoming events, farm training, and funding opportunities, as well as connect with other Veteran farmers. Some of the events that get emailed out include Veteran Farm Tours, Small Farms Conference, and a winter Veteran Farmer Socializing & Networking event in January (Eugene)...I'm hoping to add a Portland area one in the spring. I also sent out a livestock grant opportunity this morning if your interested. Just let me know, and I'll get you on the list.

Also, you may want to connect with Ben at Dauntless Wine Co., he is in Gaston and has a small vineyard, as well as the Dauntless Veteran Foundation that offers small grants that you can use towards education, equipment, farming, infrastructure, etc . The grant is open now, with a deadline coming up of 12/17/22. He was one of our hosts for the Veteran Farm Tour series this summer. https://dauntlessvf.org/agriculture-grant-program/

I hope I helped answer some of your questions, and just want to say feel free to reach-out to me if you want to know more about the Veteran Farmer Network, or just have questions about going to OSU..I've been there 3 years now and can share a little about the experience.

All the Best,

Crystal Kelso

OSU Extension Small Farms Program

<personal data hidden>





Mike,

Glad I could help! I will make sure you get added to the Statewide Veteran Farmer Network, it may take a couple days to go through so I'm just going to put the Livestock Grant info here:

Food Animal Concerns Trust Grant-
FACT awards competitive grants of up to $3,000 to working, independent farmers located in the United States who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, ducks, geese, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys.

Apply here: https://www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org/grants Applications must be submitted online by 11:59pm CT on January 10, 2023

For classes, I would suggest emailing Anne Gearhart, she is the Ag. Advisor and has been really helpful in making sure that I get into the classes that match with what I'm pursuing/my degree.

<personal data hidden>

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with, and good luck with your classes!

Crystal Kelso

OSU Extension Small Farms Program

<personal data hidden>