Indiana Grown program launched for veterans in ag
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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s (ISDA) Indiana Grown initiative announced the Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes program, which gives Hoosiers a new, tangible way to support local veterans with an agriculture business. Governor Mike Pence attended the announcement at the Indiana War Memorial and was joined by ISDA Director Ted McKinney and representatives from Indiana Grown, as well as from the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Indiana’s Department of Veteran Affairs and more.
The Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes program gives local producers who have served in the military the opportunity to use an exclusively-designed logo on their business signage and/or product labels. This will help consumers who wish to show their support easily identify products made by Hoosier veterans.
Homegrown By Heroes is a national program administered by the Farmer Veteran Coalition and has grown to include more than 250 members in 43 states, including Indiana.
- Sara Creech, Blue Yonder Organic Farm, in North Sale
- Zachary Morris, Freebird Farm and Homestead, in Walton
- Jesse Andrew, The Pines Farm, in West Point
- Cadel Crowl, Crowl Cattle, in Lafayette
- Alan McKamey, Heritage Meadows Farm, in Clayton
- Steve Carrell, Ponderosa Aqua Farm, in Spencer
- Elias Donker, Red Hawk Hill Farm, in Terre Haute
To be eligible for the Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes logo, the producer must meet all Indiana Grown membership criteria, as well as the following:
- Have veteran, active duty, National Guard or Reserve member of the U.S. Armed Forces status, without regard to age or era of duty;
- Provide a copy of their Department of Defense Form 214 or equivalent;
- Have characterization of service of Honorable or General (under Honorable conditions);
- Provide a letter of support from their commanding officer or designated representative attesting to their service under honorable conditions if they are an active duty member; and
- Maintain 50 percent or greater veteran ownership of their business or operation and 50 percent or greater veteran management control.
For more information or to apply for membership, visit the Indiana Grown website or contact Suzi Spahr at 317-234-7707.