Veterans and military farmers are investing in Virginia agriculture

FRONT ROYAL, Va. – Former U.S. Navy SEAL officer and combat leader Sean Glass moved to Warren County and tasted his first locally produced beef from a neighboring farm. The meat was quickly consumed by his family of seven, and they bought more. It was just that good.

“Phenomenal,” Glass recalls. “It really got my wheels turning. Most people… don’t have the opportunity to put this on their plate every night. That almost seemed un-American to me.”

To expand that access and support military families, Glass and partners launched the Primal Beef Co. e-commerce operation. in the Shenandoah Valley. For every box sold, one piece of beef will be donated directly to the household of a Special Operations Force member, in partnership with The C4 Foundation.

May is Military Appreciation Month and the contributions of veterans and military farmers strengthen the state’s agricultural community, said Wayne F. Pryor, president of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

“While they share a call to service, farmers and soldiers also share a strong work ethic, problem-solving skills and the determination to persevere through difficulties,” Pryor said.

The recently released findings from the 2022 Census of Agriculture reported that there are 7,679 farmers with military service operating on 1.2 million acres in Virginia. More than 4,000 of them are on average around 68 years old. Loudoun and Fauquier counties are home to the largest number of military farmers.

Virginia cattle are typically finished and processed in the Midwest, Glass noted. Now Primal Beef’s partner Seven Hills Foods Co. is strengthening its large-scale processing capacity. the brand identity of Virginia beef.

The Lynchburg plant has become the state’s largest processor. President Dalton Mosser said his team designed their production model to accommodate every operation, “from farmers processing one head at a time, to supporting large productions for groups like Primal Beef Co. We look forward to supporting their growth for many years to come. .”

Buying locally raised and processed beef not only supports American processing facilities and jobs, but also supports American farms, businesses and families with farm-produced beef. “And with ours, you also support SEALS and their families,” Glass added.

Farm Bureau and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services support the Farmer Veteran Coalition, providing training, resources and marketing initiatives such as Virginia Grown’s Homegrown by Heroes label. Those interested in joining the Virginia chapter of the FVC can contact John Fant at [email protected] or visit facebook.com/FVCofVA learn more.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Small Farm Outreach Program also serves veteran farmers. Contact the Virginia State University SFOP office at 804-524-3292 or visit ext.vsu.edu/small-farm-outreach-program for information.

–Virginia Farm Bureau