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Tractor Supply, Farmer Veteran Coalition Honor 50 Military Veterans Nationwide
“Military Veteran, Raymond Eade (middle) accepting Tractor Supply gift card from Michael Finley (right),
Paris, TN store manager with close friend and pet.”
Tractor Supply and FVC presented gift cards to veteran farmers for impactful agricultural projects.
BRENTWOOD TENN.
In partnership with Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), Tractor Supply Company hosted and honored 50 military veteran farmers nationwide on Saturday, May 18, which was also Armed Forces Day. Tractor Supply presented a total of $50,000 in awards through FVC’s Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund – a grant program that helps veterans grow their agricultural businesses.
Each of the 50 veterans received a $1,000 gift card from Tractor Supply and FVC after submitting an essay describing their farm training and experience, personal investment in their farm business, clear need for assistance and vision and goals for their future. The winners, who were invited to their local Tractor Supply store to receive their award, are owners of agricultural businesses in categories such as beekeeping, sustainable gardening, animal care, medicinal crop cultivation and more.
“It is an honor to give back to men and women who have given so much to our country through their service and now to their communities with farming,” said Roc Hodges, who retired as a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force and currently leads the Tractor Supply Veterans Employee Resource Group. “These military veterans are developing impressive agricultural businesses across the country, and we are both humbled and excited to support each and every one of them through our partnership with FVC.”
In Athens, Tennessee, the local Tractor Supply store honored Marissa Buchanan, who served in the Army from 2009 to 2018 as a Combat Medic. When Buchanan left the military, she opened Buchanan’s Barnyard to raise critical breeds of poultry. As Buchanan’s Barnyard expands, she is welcoming rescued mini pigs for foster and adoption, as well as expanding into animal assisted therapy.
The Kalamazoo, Michigan, Tractor Supply store awarded the Fellowship Fund grant to Jason Scramlin. After serving as a U.S. Marine from 1997 to 2005, Scramlin found his passion for the rural lifestyle and purchased his own farm in 2013 to raise sheep. In just over five years, he has grown his farm from five ewes to 40 ewes and two rams. He raises them on a rotational pasture management system, which is a sustainable, low-input system that promotes healthy animals and soil.
U.S. Marine and National Guard veteran Eric Duncan was recognized at the Montpelier, Vermont, store. Duncan joined the Marine Corps out of high school and spent the majority of his career in the Active Guard and Reserve program supporting the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Vermont. After retiring, Duncan opened Revolution Farms, a small-scale diversified vegetable farm, incorporating pasture-raised pork and poultry with soil management practices and product lines.
“The partnership with Tractor Supply Company is so important to our mission of supporting farmer veterans,” said Michael O’Gorman, founder and director of Farmer Veteran Coalition. “We are excited to watch these award winners develop their businesses and change their communities for years to come.”
Each of the 50 veterans demonstrates an ongoing commitment to serving our country in ways that both Tractor Supply and Farmer Veteran Coalition are proud to honor. Learn more about this partnership and the Fellowship Fund by visiting https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/.
About Tractor Supply Company
Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has been passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle, for more than 80 years. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle. With more than 29,000 team members, the Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday low prices they deserve. At March 30, 2019, the Company operated 1,775 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com.
Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At March 30, 2019, the Company operated 176 Petsense stores in 26 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.Petsense.com.
About Farmer Veteran Coalition
Farmer Veteran Coalition is a national nonprofit organization that assists active duty and veteran members of our Armed Forces embarking on careers in agriculture by providing them with education, resources and small grants to launch their own farming operation or find employment in farming. Established in 2008, Farmer Veteran Coalition’s network of more than 11,000 veteran members from all 50 states and U.S. Territories are served by mentors in the areas of agricultural production, law, business planning and career counseling, the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund, and the nationally recognized Homegrown By Heroes label for veteran-grown products. Learn more at www.farmvetco.org. ∆
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