**Homegrown by Heroes: Farmer’s Market Event**

Mark your calendars for a special event celebrating our nation’s heroes and their dedication to agriculture! The Homegrown by Heroes Farmer’s Market will be held on July 13, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Guardians Farm, located at 99 Bates Road, Southbury, CT 06488. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to July 20, 2024.

**Event Highlights**

The market will feature a variety of farmer veteran vendors, showcasing their homegrown products and unique agricultural expertise. Participating vendors include:

– Hives for Heroes

– Guardians Farm

– Lakeside Farm

– Quiet Corner Flowers

– Steadfast Farms Poultry Processing & Slaughter

– Tranquil Hive Honey Co.

– Union Bee Company

– Wilkinson Farm

– …and many more!

**Sponsorship Opportunities**

This is an excellent opportunity to support veteran farmers and enjoy high-quality local produce and products.

Supporting this event also means supporting the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Connecticut (FVC CT). Various sponsorship levels are available, each building upon the previous tier:

– **Private (<$99)**: Included in sponsorship list post on FVC CT socials.

– **Corporal ($100)**: Name included on Sponsorship Poster at FVC CT Booth & Main Entrance.

– **Staff Sergeant ($250)**: Name included on Group Banner at FVC CT Booth & Main Entrance and two parking spot signs for advertising.

– **Captain ($500)**: Included in all internet marketing, logo included on Sponsor Poster & Group Banner, and five parking spot signs.

– **Colonel ($1000+)**: Included in all online and print marketing, standalone banner at the event (est. $300 value, yours to keep), and ten parking spot signs.

**Support and Donate**

Your contributions help mobilize veteran farmers to cultivate agricultural solutions for a vibrant and sustainable Connecticut. To donate, scan the QR code or contact ConnecticutInfo@FarmVetCo.org. Visit [Connecticut Veteran Grown](https://ctveterangrown.org/) for more details.

**About Connecticut Veteran Grown**

**Have You Heard About the Program?** The Connecticut Veteran Grown program has been brought to life thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Awarded through Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development (CT RC&D), the grant is bringing much-needed resources to the state’s Farmer Veterans. The project is working to promote Farmer Veterans to consumers around the state and creating a resource hub to support them going forward. The overall objective is to support Veterans as they build a career in agriculture and assimilate back to civilian life, which can be a challenge. Veterans deserve all the resources available to be successful in agriculture.

Connecticut Veteran Grown is a three-year program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and administered by CT RC&D. The program provides marketing assistance and resources to help the state’s farmer veterans succeed. CT RC&D, a nonprofit supporting Connecticut’s farming community since 1968, collaborates with the Connecticut Farmer Veteran Coalition to develop a Veteran Farmer Resource Hub, launch a marketing campaign, and offer technical help and marketing assistance to veteran farmers.

**Program Goals**

CT Veteran Grown aims to:

– **Close the Gap**: Remove barriers to advance Connecticut veterans in agriculture.

– **Smooth the Transition**: Support farmer veterans as they build agricultural careers and transition back to civilian life.

– **Pathway to Success**: Provide access to programs, resources, and services from state and federal agencies.

– **Create Networks**: Foster relationships among farmer veterans to build future cooperatives.

– **Build Camaraderie**: Enable learning from fellow veterans, building a professional community.

– **Pay it Forward**: Offer job training and youth education in conservation.

Additionally, the Homegrown by Heroes Connecticut Grown program has resolved technical issues with their website map and is adding virtual resources for farmers. They will launch 1-on-1 professional assistance for farmer veterans next week.

**Why Visit [Connecticut Veteran Grown](https://ctveterangrown.org/)?**

Visiting [Connecticut Veteran Grown](https://ctveterangrown.org/) is crucial for anyone looking to support and engage with the state’s farmer veterans. The website offers a wealth of resources, including the latest updates on the Homegrown by Heroes program, virtual resources for farmer veterans, and information on upcoming 1-on-1 professional assistance. By exploring the site, you can learn more about the valuable work being done to assist veterans in their transition to agricultural careers, find out how to support these efforts, and stay informed about events like the Farmer’s Market. Your involvement can make a significant difference in helping veterans build successful and sustainable futures in agriculture.

Join us in nurturing Connecticut’s farmer veterans and supporting our heroes. See you at the Homegrown by Heroes Farmer’s Market on July 13, 2024!

For more information Contact;

Sarah Layton

Agricultural Programs Coordinator

Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc.

1066 Saybrook Road, PO BOX 70, Haddam, CT 06438

Phone: 860-345-3977 x 102 | www.ctrcd.org