A national organization working to mobilize veterans to become successful farmers is getting support from some of South Carolina’s top veteran chefs. Chef and army veteran, Kristian Niemi talks with South Carolina Public Radio about the first annual Operation Harvest and how it will help veterans transition from protecting America, while in service, to feeding America from the farm.
Founded in 2007, the Veteran Farmer Coalition is a California-based non-profit organization that assists military veterans in farming through various programs and initiatives. Homegrown By Heroes (HBH) is the official farmer veteran branding program of America. The program uses the HBH logo to inform consumers that products donning the logo were produced by military veterans. The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund assists veterans with advancing their careers in agriculture by giving them access to funding, resources and support services.
Tickets for Operation Harvest 2017 are $125 per person with all proceeds going to the Veteran Farmer Coalition. Free tickets for military veterans and their spouses are also available. Veterans should email info@bourboncolumbia.com with name (both veteran’s name and guest’s name) and branch of service.
Operation Harvest 2017 will be held Tuesday, May 2 at City Roots farm, 1005 Airport Blvd. in the Rosewood neighborhood.