Tester Announces Funding to Help Put Veterans to Work

(Big Sandy, Mont.) – Continuing his support for veterans and Montana’s agriculture economy, Senator Jon Tester announced a grant for Butte’s National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) today. NCAT will receive more than $238,000 in funds to teach veterans the ins and outs of farming.

“Putting our veterans to work while maintaining our rich agricultural heritage is a no brainer,” Tester said. “Initiatives like this will help highly skilled, hardworking veterans get back into the workforce and contribute to Montana’s number one industry.”

The $238,441 from USDA will be matched by $59,610 in non-federal dollars. The funds will be used to further the Armed to Farm program and provide training for military veterans across Montana.

NCAT’s Armed to Farm program has developed a sustainable agriculture training program for military veterans that provides classroom and on-farm training, as well as an introduction to USDA agencies and programs.

In 2014, Tester helped pass the Farm Bill, which included specific resources to help military veteran farmers through loan assistance, crop insurance, conservation incentives, and training.