Governor Cuomo Announces Launch of New On-The-Job Agricultural Training Program for Veterans

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of an on-the-job training program for military veterans interested in careers in the agricultural industry. This training opportunity expands the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs’ On-the-Job Training initiative to allow veterans to use their military benefits while obtaining useful job skills on the farm. With assistance from Cornell Small Farms Program, Western New York’s Kreher’s Farm in Clarence, has been approved as the first farm in the state to offer this program to veterans. Additional farms across the state are encouraged to apply to participate in the program. “Veterans across New York have sacrificed so much for the safety and liberty of this state and country. It is our honor to support these brave men and women who answered the call to protect our nation and the principles it was founded upon,” Governor Cuomo said. “This program will open new doors and not only offer on-the-farm training for veterans, it will support increased agricultural production to provide local food to communities across the state. I congratulate Kreher’s Farm for participating in the program and encourage other farms across the state to join.” Interested farms must submit an application and training outline to the DVA. The outline should include skills that will be learned and duties the veteran will complete during training. The training period will last from six months to two years and farms should be in a position to hire the veteran full-time at the end of their training. Staff with Cornell Small Farms will assist farmers in applying for the program. Once an application is approved, Cornell Small Farms will also help match those farms with interested veterans.