Veterans in Agriculture
How does the USDA Support Veterans?
According to the USDA Farm and Land in Farm Summary of 2019, the total number of U.S. farms declined by 5, 800 from 2018. Only farms in the $100,000-$249,000 sales category and the $250,000-$499,999 sales category increased while all other sales categories declined. In 2019, about 51.1% of all farms had less than $10,000 sales and 81.5% of all farms had less than $100,000 in sales. In 2019, only 7.4% of all farms had sales of $500,000 or more.
Since preparedness and defense are critical to America’s food and agriculture sectors and to sustaining and growing rural America; the U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking to military veterans across the country to fill the roles that keep America’s food supply safe and secure, preserve and strengthen rural communities, and restore and conserve the environment.
USDA wants to ensure that veterans looking for a career in farming or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities you need to succeed.
USDA’s veterans website serves as a one-stop navigator for veterans looking to learn more about employment, education, and entrepreneurship on or beyond the farm.
USDA prioritizes hiring veterans because we know that you bring a wide range of experiences and strong work ethic that USDA wants and needs across the Department.
The USDA’s Military Veteran Liaison connects returning Veterans with beginning farmer training opportunities and various agricultural vocational programs.
Contact: Jill Haakenson at (701)662-8634 for more information about Veterans in Agriculture.
Website: https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans
Green Light =Honoring Veterans
To show support and honor veterans this Veterans Day holiday, Traill County Residents are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors can see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.
By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (November 7th -13th), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
Operation Green Light is a simple way to express our collective appreciation for the public service of our veterans. Freeborn County encourages everyone to join us in displaying a green light for our veterans and to also reflect on how we, as a nation and at the county level, assist our military service personnel back into civilian life upon completion of their service to our country.
Contact your local Traill County Veterans Services Officer, at 701-430-7059 or visit naco.org/operationgreenlight for more information.
VA COMMUNITY CARE
WHAT IS VA COMMUNITY CARE?
The VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. This care is provided on behalf of and paid for by VA for service connected conditions. As with care provided directly by VA, Veterans are charged a copayment for nonservice-connected care. Learn how to pay your bill and alternative payment options. In addition, VA may bill Veterans’ health insurance for medical care, supplies, and prescriptions related to treatment of nonservice-connected conditions.
Community care is available to Veterans based on certain conditions and eligibility requirements, and in consideration of a Veteran’s specific needs and circumstances. Community care MUST be first authorized by VA before a Veteran can receive care from a community provider.
In some cases, VA offers health care and services for a Veteran’s family members and dependents (beneficiaries) based on certain conditions and eligibility requirements. VA serves more than 360,000 beneficiaries through its family member and dependent health care benefit programs.
WHAT ARE THE 6 ELIGIBLITY CRITERA THAT CAN QUALIFY A VETERAN TO RECEIVE COMMUNITY CARE?
There are 6 criteria that can qualify a Veteran to receive community care. Veterans only need to meet one of these criteria to be eligible.
Criteria #1)You need a service not available at a VA medical facility:
This includes Veterans that need a specific type of care or service that the VA does not provide in-house at any of its medical facilities.
Criteria #2)You live in a State or U.S. Territory without a full-service VA medical facility: This includes Veterans that live in a U.S. state or territory that does not have a full-service VA medical facility such as: Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands
Criteria #3)You qualify under the “grandfather” provision related to distance eligibility for VCP. This includes Veterans that live in one of the five states with the lowest population density from a U.S. Census:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming.
Criteria #4)The VA cannot provide care with certain designated access standards. If the VA is unable to schedule an appointment that is within a 30-minute average drive time for primary care, mental health, and non-institutional extended care services (including adult day health care) or a 60-minute average drive time for specialty care.
Criteria #5)It is in the Veterans BEST medical interest. A Veteran may be referred to a community provider when the Veteran and the referring clinician agree that it is in the best medical interest to see a community provider.
Criteria #6)The VA Service Line does not meet certain medical standards. If the VA has identified a medical service line is not meeting VA’s standards for quality based on specific conditions, Veterans can elect to receive care from a community provider under certain limitations.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE A COMMUNITY CARE APPOINTMENT?
Before scheduling an appointment, it is important for the Veteran to confirm with a VA staff member that they are eligible and authorized for community care. Once authorized to receive community care, the veteran can get a referral to a community care facility. VA will send the Veteran and the selected community provider a referral. VA will also send the Veteran’s medical documentation to the community provider to ensure proper care coordination between their VA care team and the community provider.
WHO CAN I CONTACT?
For questions or assistance, contact the VA Community Care Department at 1-877-881-7618 (option 1) Monday- Friday 8am-9pm EST
Traill County Veterans Service Office 