Dear Farmer Veteran Coalition Members, As we gather with family and neighbors this Labor Day, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you. Your service to our nation did not end with your military duty. It continues every day in the fields, barns, packing houses, farm stands, and farmers markets where you grow food, steward water and soil, and strengthen rural communities. Labor Day celebrates the dignity of work and the people who do it. No one embodies that more than farmer veterans. You rise before dawn, adapt to weather and markets, care for animals and crops, and mentor the next generation. You turn discipline into resilience, teamwork into community, and purpose into nourishment for millions. I also want to recognize those of you who will be working this weekend - harvesting, irrigating, moving livestock, and preparing for fall. Your commitment keeps America fed and reminds us that agriculture is both a calling and a mission. At the Farmer Veteran Coalition, our mission is to stand with you: opening pathways into agriculture, advocating for resources and market access, and connecting you with training, buyers, and a nationwide community that has your back. If you need support - business planning, grants, market access, or simply a sounding board - please reach out. And if you’re in a position to mentor another veteran beginning their ag journey, we’d love to help make that connection. Just email us at support@farmvetco.org. Thank you for your courage, your craftsmanship, and your leadership. Wishing you a safe and restorative Labor Day. With respect and gratitude, Jeanette L. Lombardo Chief Executive Officer Farmer Veteran Coalition (fb)

Farmer Veteran Coalition is raising funds to provide stipends to Veteran members to attend the 2025 FVC Stakeholders Conference! Your donation will help cover conference registration fees, ensuring our Veteran members can access vital networking and educational opportunities. Make a contribution here: https://farmvetco.org/donate/ For more information about the 2025 FVC Stakeholders Conference, visit https://conference.farmvetco.org/ #farmerveterancoalition #farmerveteran #veteransupport (fb)