Season 8, Episode 40. November 6, 2021

Today, we are setting the table with an organization called the Farmer Veteran Coalition. This is a National Organization with a TN chapter and the work of this organization is pretty straight forward. They help veterans become farmers with support, education, networking, and resources. We visit with Jim Artman, who is a Veteran having served 8 years in the Army, a former sniper, and founder of Appalachian Grit, a yard to table agricultural company located in Knoxville. He battled his own serious case of PTSD with nutrition, exercise and gratitude and he feels it is a mission to help other people in the community to gain greater access to nutritious foods by helping to build and advocate for healthy foods, community food gardens, urban agriculture and food systems.

Jim is also Vice President of the TN Chapter of the FVC and he’s going to let us know of the important work of this organization.

Jim will also let us know about a FVC conference that takes place in Knoxville in just a couple of weeks November 17,18,and 19th.

2021 Farmer Veteran Coalition Eastern Regional Conference details:

The 2021 Farmer Veteran Coalition Eastern Regional Conference will take place November 17-18 and 19 in Knoxville TN. The events of each day are as follows:

• The conference begins with a social meet and greet on the evening of Wednesday, November 17th from 5 - 8:00 P.M.
• On Thursday, November 18th, there will be one day of education, workshops, distinguished speakers, guest panels, networking and more to help you take your business to the next level.
• And on Friday, November 19th, there will be optional farm tours with the following topics between the hours 8 - 2pm which will include lunch and transportation. Here is brief information of the optional farm tours that they have organized for Friday, Nov 19th. Again, these tours require registration from their website.

1. UTK Organic Farm East TN AG and Research and Education Center or abbreviated as (ETREC) ETREC organic crops unit; and Seven Springs Farm Tour..
2. Mixed TN Ag Tour
3. Yard to Table and Urban Ag with a Mission

Registration is requrted to reserve your spot, and details and registration are available on their website. That website address is: https://conference.farmvetco.org/ and that website is also very easy to find from their facebook page by searching: Farmer Veteran Coalition TN

More information also available by email: tennessee@farmvetco.org and FVCEvents@farmvetco.org

Links: FVC up-to-date details and to register for the conference: https://conference.farmvetco.org/ Appalachian Grit (Jim Artman’s Company): https://www.appalachiangrit.com/ Farmer Veteran Coalition, Tennessee Chapter: https://tennessee.farmvetco.org/ Farmer Veteran Coalition TN Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/farmvetcotn/ Tennessee New Farmer Academy: https://www.tnstate.edu/extension/NFA.aspx Many other helpful links: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/beginning.html